Frank Lampard believes Taiwo Awoniyi’s Premier League experience, physical strength and ability to bring others into play can make the Super Eagles striker a valuable addition to Coventry City as the newly promoted side prepares for life back in the top flight.
Awoniyi completed his move from Nottingham Forest to Coventry in a deal reportedly worth around £9 million, bringing an end to his four-year spell at the City Ground.
The transfer gives the Nigerian forward a fresh opportunity to secure regular football after struggling for consistent playing time at Forest.
Lampard was one of the key figures behind the move, with the Coventry manager believing Awoniyi possesses qualities that could prove particularly important as his team returns to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.
Explaining why Coventry targeted the Nigeria international, Lampard said: “In terms of Taiwo, we know him from his Premier League experience and what he’s done at Nottingham Forest.”
The former Chelsea midfielder also highlighted the physical attributes that made Awoniyi an attractive addition to his attack.
“Power, strength, a player that can hold the ball up, can run behind are things in the Premier League I think are very, very valuable,” Lampard said.
Awoniyi’s move also comes at a crucial stage of his career.
The 29-year-old spent four seasons with Forest after joining from Union Berlin in 2022, making 103 appearances and scoring 23 goals for the club. However, competition for places increasingly limited his opportunities, with the striker starting only three Premier League matches last season.
Lampard believes that frustration over limited playing time was an important factor in Awoniyi’s decision to seek a new challenge.
“There is a reason why Taiwo left Nottingham Forest and came to us. We really like him and hope he’s going to be great for us,” Lampard said.
The Coventry boss added that the Nigerian’s hunger for more minutes could work in the club’s favour.
“We are aware of that and I would flip that to the mental side of Taiwo; probably he is frustrated with game time.”
That desire for regular football could make Awoniyi particularly motivated as Coventry begin their first Premier League campaign since 2001.
The Sky Blues won the Championship last season under Lampard and have subsequently invested heavily in their squad ahead of their return to the top flight.
Awoniyi is one of several players with Premier League experience brought in to help the club cope with the demands of the division.
His arrival has become even more important following an injury to fellow striker Haji Wright, who is expected to miss up to three months.
Awoniyi now has the opportunity to revive his club career while strengthening his claim for continued involvement with Nigeria.
For Lampard, however, the immediate objective is clear: get the striker fit, confident and ready to provide Coventry with another attacking option capable of troubling Premier League defences.
With power, pace and top-flight experience on his side, Awoniyi could have the perfect stage at Coventry to remind English football exactly what he can do.
