Why Sheaf could be worth picking...

ARSENAL midfielder Ben Sheaf could be the next man in as Mark Robins continues to build a Coventry City side ready to take on the Championship.

The Sky Blues are said to have made a six-figure bid for the 22-year-old, who would be the seventh player through the door this summer if he arrived. But just who is Sheaf and what would he bring to City? Here’s a lowdown.

How has his career gone to date?

Sheaf is a 22-year-old midfielder who has come through the ranks at Arsenal following his move from West Ham when he was in his midteens.

After impressing for the Gunners’ academy sides, he was handed a first-team debut aged 19, playing the final few minutes of a Europa League win at Red Star Belgrade in October 2017.

Shortly after he went on loan to Stevenage in League Two, playing 10 times. Last season was spent in Arsenal’s Under-23s, Sheaf reaching 60 games for the development side, while this season he has been on loan at City’s League One rivals Doncaster.

He was involved in the England set-up in his teens, playing twice for the Three Lions’ Under-18s.

What position does he play?

He’s a midfielder by trade, generally sitting deep, shielding the back four and spreading play from there, with the game in front of him.

But he spent a lot of time in Arsenal’s Under-23s playing as a centreback, while he also had a few outings at right-back and even as a right-sided midfielder.

How did he get on at Doncaster?

Pretty well. He played 38 games in all competitions, only missing two of Rovers’ League One fixtures as they finished ninth. He grabbed two goals, his first in senior football, with three assists as well.

Is he any good?

The stats suggest he’s certainly got something about him. He finished among League One’s top 10 players for passes and tackles.

Only Doncaster team-mate Ben Whiteman and Sky Blues centreback Michael Rose completed more passes per game than Sheaf, while his 82.4 per cent completion ranks him above any City player.

He created 29 chances too, and ranked third for key passes among defensive midfielders.

A total of 76 successful tackles puts him fourth in League One, again above any Sky Blues players from last season.

What did Doncaster say about him?

When Doncaster signed Sheaf, their boss Darren Moore was quick to sing his praises.

“He is a versatile player, equally as comfortable in defence as he is in midfield,” Moore said. “He’s a lovely footballer. He plays well off either foot, he’s a good technician. He’s got good size and structure and he moves well.

“He’s got a good eye for a pass and is an intelligent footballer. Those are the types of players that we want to sign here going forward.”

And then when the loan was extended in January, he added further praise for the midfielder. “He’s been superb,” Moore said. “He’s got wonderful feet and his game understanding is impeccable. He has grown immensely during his time here and I feel he’ll kick on again. He just has to keep his consistency going and to get even better than he is now.”