Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard has lavished praise on Frank Onyeka after the Super Eagles midfielder netted his first goal for the club in their thrilling 3-2 victory over Derby County on Friday, Bold Sports reports.
The 28-year-old, who joined Coventry on loan from Brentford during the January transfer window, delivered a commanding performance, playing the full 90 minutes and opening the scoring with a stunning strike to put the hosts ahead 13 minutes in.
Derby responded in the 38th minute through Ben Brereton Díaz, who equalised before halftime. Substitute Jack Rudoni restored Coventry’s lead, only for Brereton Díaz to strike again minutes later, making it 2-2. However, Rudoni eventually scored the winner, netting his second goal in the 80th minute to claim all three points for Lampard’s side.
The result saw Coventry move 11 points clear at the top of the EFL Championship with six matches remaining, edging them closer to promotion to the Premier League. Onyeka’s impact since arriving has been significant, with Coventry winning eight of the nine matches he has featured in, underlining his influence in midfield.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Lampard praised not just Onyeka’s on-field contributions but also his attitude and professionalism off it, describing him as a player of incredible humility.
“The work that he does for the goal is exactly what he has been doing for us and it’s what we brought him in to do, sort of breaking up play. But there’s more to his game,” the Chelsea legend said.
“The physical part of his game is one thing, and breaking it up. But he has got that also (shooting). All round, he’s a quality player and an amazing lad coming from the Premier League with this incredible humility where he just comes in and works. He’s such a lovely bloke and I’m delighted for him. This place adores him already,” he added.
Lampard also revealed the personal sacrifices Onyeka has made since his arrival, noting how the midfielder remained fully committed despite being away from his family shortly after welcoming a newborn.
“When someone comes in from the Premier League and he’s just so diligent. He had a baby when he first came in, he’s staying in hotels, not seen his family. I’m like ‘I haven’t seen you,’ and he’s like ‘No, no, I need to be here.”
“All those little things, and the way he trains and prepares, that’s massive the signals for the rest of the players. But the first thing is can you do it on the pitch and he has clearly done that for us.”
Onyeka will aim to continue his impressive form when Coventry City travel to face Hull City on Monday. Lampard’s side will be looking to claim their third win in a row, taking them another step closer to returning to the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
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