Frank Lampard, the manager of Coventry City, has discussed his team’s choice to sell striker Justin Obikwu to Queens Park Rangers, a rival Championship team, during the January transfer window.

Prior to the Sky Blues calling him back and letting QPR hire him on a permanent basis, Obikwu was on loan in League One with Lincoln City.

Although the 21-year-old only managed three goals in 21 games for the Imps, his new team will be hoping he can help them qualify for the Championship play-offs.

In the meantime, Romain Esse and Haji Wright’s goals helped his old team Coventry upset Millwall 2-1 on Tuesday, increasing their hopes of automatic promotion.

The reason Coventry City permitted Justin Obikwu to join QPR is revealed by Frank Lampard

After defeating West Brom 5-0, the Sky Blues will be feeling quite confident going into their next Championship battle against Norwich City on Monday.

Regarding Obikwu’s exit, Lampard said to the Coventry Observer, “I think it is good business.” Justin is a decent man. He entered to bid us farewell and is a polite boy.Despite having a diversified career path, he is a skilled striker. He hasn’t always played while on loan at Lincoln this season. He has dipped his toe in the water and played.We wish him the best. Sometimes, it could appear like the ideal time for both the club and the athlete. He will grow in his career because he is a talented young man.Our immediate and relatively longer-term effects require decision-making.

Lampard said that he thinks Obikwu’s contract permits him to play for the R’s against the Sky Blues later this month: “I assume. I’m not aware of such clause, and I think I would have known about it if there had been one.

Justin Obikwu has to start working at QPR immediately.

The news that Coventry manager Lampard thinks Obikwu is a gifted player despite his decision to split ways with the striker will make QPR happy.

The 21-year-old may need some time to start playing successfully in the Championship, though, given that he struggled to get any playing time with Lincoln in League One this season.

In addition, he only managed seven goals during the 2024–2025 League Two season while on loan at Grimsby Town.

In the meantime, QPR’s 0-0 draw at Oxford United on Tuesday effectively extended their winning streak in the Championship to three games.

However, in their previous seven games in all competitions, the R’s have only won once, against relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday in the second division.

Thus, in order to improve the striker’s confidence, Julien Stephan needs his new addition, Obikwu, to score a goal as quickly as possible in the Championship.

This Saturday is QPR’s next league game against Wrexham, and they need to capitalize on the Red Dragons’ comparatively bad play after losing both of their previous games, notably to a relegation-threatened Norwich team.