What’s next for Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare? – Opinion

Mark Robins’ side made a second contract offer for O’Hare after the original was rejected last month, but wasted no time in securing a replacement in Huddersfield Town’s Jack Rudoni for an undisclosed fee .

After missing most of the first half of the campaign, O’Hare returned to make a total of 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring ten goals and providing a further four assists.

However, with his future still up in the air, let’s take a look at what the future could hold for the 26-year-old…

The sensible decision

O’Hare missed the start of the season as he continued his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and, although he impressed for the Sky Blues, finished the season behind Jamaican international Kasey Palmer in the pecking order.

Therefore, with SPFL Celtic having been linked with the playmaker, a sensible decision for O’Hare, should he fancy a fresh start, would be to join the reigning Scottish champions.

This is because he would greatly increase his chances of winning a league title, something he has not achieved since his debut campaign at Coventry, and could act as a stepping stone to unlock a move higher in the near future.

Financial decision

It’s no secret that Premier League players all earn a significant salary that sets them up for life and if O’Hare is thinking about life after football, it would make sense to follow former team-mate Gustavo Hamer into the top flight.

Southampton and Fulham have both been credited with an interest in the 26-year-old and could offer a higher salary than almost all rival clubs in their pursuit of the playmaker.

The risk with this is that O’Hare is likely to start as a squad/bench player and would need to maximize his first team minutes when they arrive to win over the new manager he could work under.

Disappointing decision

With Coventry City reaching a play-off final and FA Cup semi-finals in back-to-back seasons, as well as having a bid on the table, the worst decision I think they could make is to opt for another championship.

Both Burnley and Leeds United have been linked with the soon-to-be free agent, but both will almost certainly find themselves competing against the Sky Blues in the battle for promotion next season.

Although on paper Burnley and Leeds will have a better chance of returning to the Premier League, O’Hare has become a fan favorite at the CBS Arena and I firmly believe a move to either side would destroy that reputation.

Shocking decision

Although Coventry have signed their replacement, an offer to keep O’Hare is still on the table and the shock of all shocks could be the midfielder opting to stay at Coventry.

If that were to happen, Jamaica international Kasey Palmer would almost certainly be the man to make way, especially considering he is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at CBS Arena.

With O’Hare and Rudoni as options in that area, offering the services of Ellis Simms, Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark could greatly increase Coventry’s chances of a return to the Premier League.

Similarly, from O’Hare’s perspective, a season focused solely on the joy of football will allow him to excel even more and could unlock greater options next summer, whether or not Coventry win promotion to the Premier League.

Coventry fans, where do you think Callum O’Hare will apply next season?