Coventry City supporters can rest easy after Ipswich Town, Kalvin Phillips update: View | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys' interest in Ben Sheaf should be quelled after signing Phillips

Everyone connected with Coventry City will be breathing a sigh of relief as Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips signs for Ipswich Town ahead of the Tractor Boys' return to the Premier League.

Kieran McKenna's side have been linked with a move for the Sky Blues' star man Ben Sheaf over the summer, but a move now looks a lot more unlikely after Phillips' arrival at Portman Road on a season-long loan, which will be massively welcome news to Coventry fans.

Sheaf has garnered serious top-flight interest since the end of last season, after his standout performances at the base of midfield helped Mark Robins' side to reach the FA Cup semi-final and finish ninth in the Championship in 2023/24.

The 26-year-old is heading into his fifth season at the CBS Arena after he initially moved on loan from boyhood club Arsenal in 2020 then made that deal permanent a year later, and he could still move on before the end of the window, but Ipswich can now likely be ruled out as a potential destination in the coming weeks.

Sheaf has been a wanted man this summer

Interest in Sheaf's services has been constant throughout the transfer window, and for good reason too, after his impressive showings last term saw him pick up both the Coventry Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year awards in May.

Not long after the end of the Championship campaign, Alan Nixon reported via Patreon that Ipswich were taking an interest in Sheaf and were debating whether to make a move as they looked to bolster their squad, with the Sky Blues' asking price thought to be close to £10m.

The Tractor Boys were not the only top-flight side looking into a deal for the 26-year-old though, with Nixon stating that Fulham were also thought to have been checking on his availability at that time, but no fresh reports of their interest have since emerged.

In what would be a surprise move, albeit he certainly has the quality to step up, Sheaf has also reportedly been profiled by Manchester United's INEOS recruitment setup as a potential target due to being cheap, low-risk and English, according to journalist Chris Winterburn, but again, nothing has come of their apparent interest so far this summer.

Sheaf is still undoubtedly on the list of potential targets for numerous clubs as it stands, but with deadline day edging ever closer, Coventry will be increasingly reluctant to let one of their star men go this month.

It was made clear just how important Sheaf is to Coventry in recent weeks, as boss Mark Robins handed him the club captaincy ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, in a move that also will have eased Sky Blues' supporters' nerves over a potential exit for the 26-year-old.

Robins has backed Sheaf to "lead by example" this season, and his influence was badly missed in the Sky Blues' season opener at Stoke City on August 10, as they lost 1-0 to a late Lewis Baker strike with Jamie Allen partnering Victor Torp in his absence due to injury.

Not only is he a voice on the pitch, Sheaf's statistics from last season prove that he is easily one of the best midfielders in the Championship, after he was in the 99th percentile for tackles per 90, the 98th percentile for progressive passes and ball recoveries per 90, and the 97th percentile for dribblers tackled per 90 when compared to other second-tier midfielders using FBref.

It is plainly obvious why everyone connected with the Sky Blues wants Sheaf to stay at the club this month, and they should see Ipswich's acquisition of Phillips as another step closer to their captain still being a Coventry player on August 31.