Hoops could wreck Sky Blues’ dream of signing up Clarke-salter
COVENTRY City are set to suffer a major transfer blow by missing out on Jake Clarke-salter’s signature.
The Sky Blues have been in talks with the 24-year-old defender who parted company with Chelsea last week, paving the way to leave on a free transfer.
As reported by the Coventry Telegraph, the centre-half has been part of a two-horse race for his services with City’s Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers in direct competition for the player.
And, according to The Sun, Clarke-salter is set to join QPR after leaving Stamford Bridge, having agreed a three-year-deal at Loftus Road.
He will be new manager Michael Beale’s first signing of the summer and a medical is expected to take place this week before the deal is officially confirmed, claims the report.
Clarke-salter made 31 appearances on loan with Coventry City last season but Rangers appear to have pipped Mark Robins’ side to the signing.
Although Coventry provided a big draw after his successful loan spell last term and the fact that he sees assistant manager Adi Viveash as a father figure from their time at Stamford Bridge, Clarke-salter also previously worked with Beale in the Chelsea academy.
Location and wages may also have been a factor in the South Londonborn player’s decision. Money talks, of course, and wages may well be a significant factor, in which case Robins’ men could easily be blown out of the running if the rival club gunning for his services is a more upwardly mobile club.
With a pedigree and a CV that boasts three FA Youth Cup winners’ medals, two UEFA youth league titles and helping England win the Under-20s World Cup, the defender looks a steal on a free transfer.
He also captained his country at Under-21 level and first broke into Chelsea’s first team at 19, making his professional debut in Chelsea’s 4–0 victory at Aston Villa, replacing Pedro in the 74th minute. After the match
Money talks and wages may well be a significant factor, in which case Robins’ men could easily be blown out of the running.
John Terry praised his performance and attitude, and hoped that Clarkesalter would go on to replace him one day.
A string of loan spells followed with time at Bristol Rovers, Sunderland, Vitesse in the Netherlands before two seasons with Birmingham City as he attempted to fulfil his early potential with plenty of game time in order to make the step up to becoming a regular at Stamford Bridge.
He spent the last pre-season with the Premier League’s first team under the watchful eye of Thomas Tuchel before being made available for another move, and when Coventry came calling it made perfect sense to rekindle his working relationship with the man that inspired his early career success.
Viveash had ten years at Chelsea where he became a highly decorated coach, first with the Under-18s and then development squad, and it’s no surprise that the Sky Blues benefited from strong links to the Premier League club in recent years since he became Robins’ No.2.
But there’s a special connection between Clarke-salter and the City coach that goes back to the player’s troubled mid-teens when Viveash was there for him; became a father figure who helped steer him through a difficult spell as he was growing up.