Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard has praised Frank Onyeka for his professionalism and work ethic, saying the Nigeria international has been a key influence in the club’s push for promotion to the Premier League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Onyeka, who joined Coventry on loan from Brentford in the winter transfer window, has quickly established himself as an important figure in midfield, helping to bring balance and stability during the decisive second half of the campaign.
Lampard, speaking to talkSPORT, said Onyeka arrived with exactly the profile the squad needed and has delivered consistently since joining.
“Frank has been brilliant,” Lampard said.
“He was a profile of a player we needed in that moment and he’s come in and given us everything we need, which has really helped the balance of our midfield with what Grimesy does and whoever plays in that 10, how they play.”
The 28-year-old has featured prominently since his arrival, contributing to a run of results that eventually secured Coventry’s return to the top flight.
The Sky Blues sealed promotion with a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on April 17 before clinching the Championship title with a 5-1 win over Portsmouth.
They have since continued their strong form, including a 3-1 victory over Wrexham last weekend.
Lampard also highlighted the midfielder’s attitude since arriving at the club, praising his humility despite his Premier League and international experience.
“The other thing he has offered is an incredible humility and work ethic,” Lampard added.
“He’s come in and just breezed into the squad and the dressing room and he’s come down from the Premier League as an international player and he is so humble.
“I love that and it’s good for some of our players to see what that looks like.”
Onyeka’s impact had already been noted earlier in the season, with Lampard previously describing him in March as bringing “knowhow” and valuable top-flight experience to a relatively inexperienced squad.
At the time, he stressed that Coventry lacked Premier League exposure compared to some of their Championship rivals and that Onyeka’s arrival had helped lift standards.
“Not many of our players have been exposed to the Premier League,” Lampard said then.
“So there’s an experience about it, a knowhow in his game but he’s been a big impact on and off the pitch for us. His professionalism is really good and he’s clearly come in and helped our upturn in recent weeks.”
Coventry, who have won 28 league matches this season and scored 93 goals, are set to finish the campaign away to Watford as they look to complete a league double over the Hornets for the first time in 21 years.
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