Coventry City must keep hold of Gael Bigirimana
EVERY FOOTBALLER HAS his own way of showing loyalty to a football club. Some kiss the badge, others talk to the media, and some like to let long term contracts do the talking.
But when Gael Bigirimana broke into the Coventry City first team at the beginning of this past season, his comments raised one or two eyebrows.
"I believe God is going to use me to change the city, starting with the football club and then from the football club to the city.
"I believe there is something greater that will happen here.
"I don't know how and in what way but I am going to influence people and try to change things.
"It's a big job but God doesn't give me easy targets."
Not the usual platitudes you expect from a footballer, but Bigirimana has already began to back up his words.
In March this year Bigirimana helped his brother open up a barbers - Bigi's Snippers and Clippers - in the city centre, thus demonstrating that his commitment to the club and city was not just hot air.
It's incredibly rare for a young footballer to be so dedicated to the club who, in footballing terms, brought him up and gave him a chance.
His early performances in the first team gave fans a glimpse of the real talent he possesses. And he backed that up with winning the Championship Apprentice of the Year award.
Unfortunately for Coventry, scouts of Newcastle United also saw those performances.
With the Magpies poised to make a bid for Bigirimana, the Sky Blues are going to be seriously tempted to cash in on the 18 year-old to ease their financial woes.
The money from any potential sale of Bigirimana could also be used to make a bid for Manchester United's Olly Norwood.
Norwood, who impressed during his spell on loan with City last season, has decided to leave United, but any club wanting to sign him must still pay compensation.
But before the Sky Blues consider offloading Bigirimana to help subsidise a bid for Norwood, they must stop and consider what they have, not just in terms of a player, but also a human being.
As good as Norwood is, it is paramount that Coventry keep Bigirimana. Not only is he a fantastic talent on the field, but off it his importance to the club and city has only just began to be felt.
Older/Newer
« Are Coventry City fans sad to see Clive Platt go? | Coventry City will do well to keep hold of players »
Latest Football League video
