FOR £5m: Two players from Coventry City who have leaved the CBS Arena after Ben Sheaf

Coventry City, who finished the season far from a play-off spot, will head into the next round with a specific objective in mind, but they could have to do it without some of their best players.

Ben Sheaf, a midfielder, was one of the most impressive players at the CBS Arena the previous season. As such, he is expected to leave his present club and join Ipswich Town or Fulham in the Premier League.

But with the Sky Blues’ roster full of young, talented players, clubs further up the pyramid might try to take advantage of their second-tier standing, so he might not be the only one walking out.

Ellis Simms made a splash when he moved from Everton for £3.5 million last season; he might earn up to £5 million depending on his performance.

Last season, in 46 Championship matches, he not only added an assist but also 13 goals. His biggest performance, though, came in the FA Cup, where he scored six goals and assisted three more in his six games. Among those were a brace against Wolverhampton Wanderers and a goal and assist against Manchester United, whom his team narrowly lost to at Wembley in the semi-final.

The 23-year-old’s league record is outstanding for a striker his age, but the elite teams will have taken notice after his historic appearances against Premier League teams, where he carried the weight of a knockout match.

That seems to have been the case, as rumors indicate that Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke are expected to leave their respective clubs, and that Bournemouth and Brentford are expected to make an offer for Simms.

Simms would find it difficult to reject those proposals because Premier League football is far from certain to come to the CBS in the coming years. On the bright side, though, the Sky Blues will ensure a swift and significant return on their investment should a deal be reached.

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Although Macaulay Langstaff has been linked to leaving Notts County in recent months, it appears that he will remain after a significant Magpies club update.

Matty Godden is another player who Sky Blues supporters may lose this summer.

The 32-year-old was only allowed to make 23 league starts during his season with Coventry, despite having a respectable season with six goals in 35 Championship outings.

Godden’s playing time at the CBS is unlikely to rise if Mark Robins’ team can hang onto its offensive players, as a plethora of young forwards are fighting for the same spots.

The veteran forward is reported to have admirers outside of Stevenage, as League One team Charlton Athletic is believed to be interested in his services having been connected to him in previous years.

This window might be one of the last opportunities the Sky Blues have to profit from the player they signed back in 2019 because his current contract expires in the summer of 2019.

Godden has been an excellent player for Coventry ever since he signed, but it could be better for both sides to split up this summer.

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