One winner and one loser at Blackburn Rovers if they sign Coventry City’s Brandon Thomas-Asante

Blackburn Rovers are one of several Championship clubs interested in signing Coventry City striker Brandon Thomas-Asante in January.

The 26-year-old has significant EFL experience, having excelled at Salford City before moving on to West Bromwich Albion and Coventry. After two seasons at The Hawthorns, where he scored 21 goals in 78 games, the striker moved to Coventry in the summer for a reported fee of more than £3 million.

Thomas-Asante has not been a regular starter in either Mark Robins’ or Frank Lampard’s Coventry City starting XI this season. He has also not been very prolific in front of goal. That could create a chance for other second-tier sides to reach an arrangement with Thomas-Asante.

Brandon Thomas-Asante’s 2024/25 campaign at Coventry City
(All competitions – Transfermarkt)
Appearances 29
Goals 3
Assists 1
(As of January 16th, 2025)

According to Pete O’Rourke, the Stoke City are now in the battle for Thomas Asante. Blackburn Rovers are also interested in signing the forward, although it’s unclear if they will be able to outbid the Potters for his services.

According to Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre broadcast (10.14-15.01.24), Blackburn has made an offer. Lancashire have made a £1.75 million bid to capture the forward this January.As stated by the Lancashire Telegraph, Eustace is unaware of this but hopes it is accurate.

He stated, “I don’t think anything is imminent in the next few days. Not that I’m aware of Brandon, another good player at this level.” We’ve already been connected with several league strikers. He has an excellent lineage and has performed well in recent seasons; I’m not sure if he has received an offer. I’m not sure if that happened, but if it did, great.”

If a move takes place in the following days, it will have an impact on the playing squad. We looked at one winner and one loser for Blackburn if Thomas-Asante is signed.

Todd Cantwell – Winner

Todd Cantwell at Rangers

Todd Cantwell is perhaps Blackburn Rovers’ most skilled player, with the ability to win matches on his own. It’s not always consistent, but when he’s on his game, he can create something out of nothing.

However, despite the abundance of talent around him, Blackburn has few forwards of Thomas-Asante’s calibre on its roster. Andi Weimann is utilised rarely, Makhtar Gueye is competent when playing to his abilities, but only Yuki Ohashi can operate the channels to their full potential.

Thomas-Asante is another player who can be a focal point like Gueye while also maintaining a workmanlike effort out of possession for the club. His pushing and physicality coupled would provide an option to Eustace.

He has never been a particularly clinical player, but he is a better all-around choice than the others. It means Cantwell has a player to play off and combine with, as well as someone who will give him space to exploit and avoid shots.

Cantwell, a player capable of both goals and assists, should benefit Blackburnside’s good defensive performance under Thomas-Asante. It might offer them an advantage in the run-up to the playoffs.

Our Sky Blues fan pundit wants Brandon Thomas-Asante to leave the club this month amid interest from Blackburn and Stoke

Makhtar Gueye – Loser
tyrhys dolan and makhtar gueye

Ohashi’s goals may have dried up, and Weimann may be unable to play every game at the age of 33, but Gueye is likely to suffer the most from a loss of starting minutes.

Perhaps cruelly after scoring his second Blackburn League goal against Portsmouth in midweek. Gueye, on the other hand, is unsuitable to starting on a regular basis for a well-organised and intense Blackburn side that is both in and out of possession.

His aerial skills is unique, but Ohashi and Thomas-Asante are considerably more likely to fill the striker role for Eustace. Their industry and work ethic, paired with their superior athleticism, will make them valuable members of the squad in the second half of the season.

Of course, it might be game-specific or dependant on the context of the match, since Gueye has the capacity to bully opposing central defenders and dominate aerially from set-pieces, but the types of games where that is necessary on a regular basis are few and far between.

Despite a fairly dismal goalscoring record, Thomas-Asante has the potential to significantly change the composition of Blackburn’s attack under Eustace, and he is more likely to provide the squad with a base from which to launch assaults than Gueye.

Creating stability in a new environment will be vital to seeing Thomas-Asante develop again. This savvy piece of business in January might be the difference maker for Blackburn to have a shout at Premier League football if this trade gets through.

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