Frank Lampard handed instant survival boost as new signing backed to make big Premier League impact

New Coventry signing Sidiki Cherif has been tipped to make a big impact in the Premier League this season.

Frank Lampard landed the 19-year-old striker from Fenerbahce for around £20m.

Getty

Cherif only joined Fener on a permanent deal this summer, with his loan from French side Angers including a mandatory purchase agreement.

He scored two goals in 12 Super Lig games after joining in January – but there is plenty of unrealised potential.

talkSPORT’s European football expert Andy Brassell said: “I personally think he will make a big, big impact in the Premier League. He was good when he arrived at Fenerbahce.

“Given that he was, because of their failure to sign any other senior strikers, immediately a senior striker, there’s a lot to his game. 

“He’s really smart. But generally speaking, it’s a big leap.”

Coventry have spent more than £100m this summer in a bid to stay in the Premier League after more than two decades away.

Their season got off to a tough start with a 3-0 defeat at defending champions Arsenal in what will likely be their hardest test of the campaign.

talkSPORT has been told that Lampard is not overly worried by that outing and there are plenty of positives to take.

Wrexham want Angers star

Another player who could be heading to English football via the Angers development route is Jacques Ekomie.

Wrexham are believed to have had a bid in the region of £8m for the left-back accepted, having faced competition from Championship rivals.

AFP

The 23-year-old has made 36 Ligue 1 appearances since joining Angers from Bordeaux in July 2024.

Brassell warned there is a steep learning curve for all players joining from the French league as the traditional routes to step up are becoming increasingly tough.

He continued: “We’ve seen how difficult it is for defenders to adapt to the Premier League. We’ve seen how difficult it is from the very start. 

“Angers is a bigger leap than Lyon. Ideally, Lyon are one of the better teams in the division.

I know the French League isn’t as moneyed as it was. Not that it was ever replete with cash, but it’s flat broke at the moment. 

“Players going from Angers to hit that next level, that is a big ask. You are probably better off going to Marseille first, or Lyon or somewhere like that.

Getty

“The problem being that Marseille and Lyon don’t have the money to take you if you’re a really good player at the moment. 

“Angers are really, really good at developing players.”