Birmingham City are in League One next season.
After years of flirting with relegation, The Blues were officially confirmed as relegated on the final day of the season and will now face a season in the third tier.
The City hierarchy have a lot of things to sort this summer if they are to bounce back on the field, notably in overhauling the squad that they have at their disposal.
With that in mind, I take a look at where they can add going into the summer.
Retained Squad
I spoke to Birmingham City fan and content creator NL Musings (Ryan Deeney) shortly following the end of the season to get his views on what he felt The Blues were likely to keep and let go of going into the 2024-25 campaign.
Below is a rough outline of the squad that he felt Birmingham City would retain – on paper, initially – ahead of the new season; barring, of course, any departures.
GK:
RB: Laird, Williams
CB: Sanderson, Bielik
LB: Buchanan, Longelo
CM: James, Bacuna, Chang, Khela, Paik
WG: Miyoshi, Dembele, Hall, Pritchard, Roberts, Donovan
ST:
I also got Ryan’s views on the likelihood of some of those retained players being snapped up this summer amid interest elsewhere.
Jordan James will almost certainly leave the club. There is every reason to suggest that you could also see the likes of Ethan Laird, Krystian Bielik, Lee Buchanan, Juninho Bacuna, Seung-ho Paik and Koji Miyoshi head elsewhere this summer. Defender Dion Sanderson had an indifferent campaign and was stripped of the captaincy, and so there may not be that many takers for his services; however, he will be more than good enough for League One. With our finances, there is a decent chance that we may be able to keep a decent core of the squad.
I also spoke to Birmingham City fan and EFL aficionado Gabriel Sutton following the announcement of The Blues’ retained list and shortly prior to the news of Chris Davies being announced as the new manager of the football club to gauge his views on City’s squad heading into pre-season, and where he feels that they need to add players.
We’ve already got an excellent squad, and are a quality CF away from having a first XI that everyone at this level would envy, which is a great start!
We need to replace Jay Stansfield, and get a centre-back partner for Dion Sanderson. If we can upgrade on John Ruddy then great, but mark that under preferred rather than required. Other than that, it’s about retaining or replacing players who might get offers, like Jordan James for instance.
I’m hoping we can keep hold of Seung-ho Paik and Koji Miyoshi; those two would be fun in League One! Paik’s an assured, creative #8, while Miyoshi is an agile, energetic #10 who loves to spin away from people in tight areas and conjure up something out of nothing. If we can get them working in tandem, they will set League One alight.
Released List
Retained: Keshi Anderson, Juninho Bacuna, Ben Beresford, Krystian Bielik, Lee Buchanan, Alfie Chang, Junior Dixon, Siriki Dembele, Romelle Donovan, Laiith Farnie, Tommy Foggarty, George Hall, Harley Hamilton, Josh Home, Jordan James, Sahid Kamara, Brandon Khela, Ethan Laird, Emmanuel Longelo, Koji Miyoshi, Femi Olofinjana, Byron Pendleton, Seung-ho Paik, Alex Pritchard, Tyler Roberts, Dion Sanderson, Josh Williams
Of the players that have been retained, I think that perhaps the easiest exit to forecast is that of Welsh midfielder Jordan James. He showed at times last year and the season previous that he was a top-end Championship performer, never mind a League One player, and there have already been reports surfacing that clubs are interested – understandably – in his services. Thus, I think the chances of him being a Blues player come the start of the season are extremely slim.
I also think that there will be suitors for attacking players Siriki Dembele and Koji Miyoshi. The pair of them have shown that they are more than capable operators in the second tier, with Mioyshi especially having built up a suitable reputation even during his fairly brief time on English soil. Dembele is a tricky, skilful wide player and while his best form has not come in a Blues shirt, if I was a team in the Championship then I would also be mulling over the possibility of prizing him away from St Andrews.
Given The Blues have been relegated to the third tier, and the perceived stock of other players within this City squad, I wouldn’t be surprised if teams came looking to try and sign some of the other players; notably, Krystian Bielik is a good player and dependable for a second tier outfit. Meanwhile, full-backs Lee Buchanan and Ethan Laird had high ceilings and high billing prior to signing for The Blues and yet have not always been consistent performers; alas, they will have interest from teams above League One. However, for the purposes of trying to piece together a starting XI, I am going to assume that everyone on the retained list bar the afore mentioned Jordan James, Siriki Dembele and Koji Miyoshi remain with City in 2024-25.
So, who should The Blues add in the summer? Let’s have a look at some names.
Possible Signings
Ovie Ejeheri (Arsenal – free)
Birmingham City will need to add a goalkeeper in the summer, with the future of John Ruddy uncertain. One player that I think they should consider who is a good long-term option for The Blues is Arsenal goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri.
Ejeheri is out of contract this summer and I think we may well see the young goalkeeper depart the club in search of regular first-team football and to try and find a number one role elsewhere; to kickstart his career after a couple of loan spells. The Gunners goalkeeper is only 21 years of age, but I’ve been impressed by the youngster during his loan spell with Chelmsford City. I will admit that I didn’t keep tabs on how he fared during his time this season out on loan with Nordic outfit SJK Seinajoki, but I have seen enough of him to be able to form the opinion that I think he is a capable goalkeeper. And, if given the opportunity of regular minutes, I think he will only thrive.
In terms of what type of goalkeeper Ejeheri is, the Arsenal youngster is an imposing type standing at 1.95 metres and is a strong and powerful player. He commands his box well, aggressive and authoritative in coming for any crosses, and is a physical specimen. He has come through a top academy system with Arsenal and so has been coached in the right way with a key emphasis on being able to play out from the back, and so he provides the perfect – and unique – balance of being that commanding size and stature whilst having the intricate, technical proficiencies to be able to get on the ball. There are very few goalkeepers available on the market for whom have these dual skillsets like Ejeheri does.
As afore mentioned, Ejeheri is only 21 years of age, and so has a lot of room left for development in his game. He is at a bit of a crossroads in his career where he needs to decide whether or not he wants to progress and become a number one somewhere, or whether he is content with kicking around the academy set-up and going out on loan. I think that it is time for the former – my self – and so I feel that he would be the perfect long-term investment for The Blues.
Joe Wildsmith (Derby County – free)
While Ovie Ejeheri is a good prospect that I think is worth signing, if The Blues are to be promoted out of League One then ideally they need to sign a proper number one with experience and ideally knows the division. One player that I feel would be a good option for City to explore this summer is goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith.
Joe Wildsmith was released by The Rams at the end of the season following their promotion to the Championship, despite having been a mainstay of County’s side that was promoted via the automatic places in League One last season. In terms of providing The Blues with the ready-made experience of knowing what it takes to be promoted from the division and then being a regular in the Championship in the event they are promoted, I think That Joe Wildsmith is the perfect option on the market.
He is 28 years of age and has just short of 200 professional games under his belt having played in the Championship and more recently back-to-back campaigns in which he made North of 40 appearances in the third tier. Given that he is born in Sheffield and has spent the last two years with Derby County, Birmingham City is a fairly local option to The Rams (less than an hour down the road) and so he wouldn’t have to relocate at this age.
I was a bit surprised when Joe Wildsmith was let go by The Rams at the end of the campaign, and I don’t think he will be short of offers during the summer. He is a decent shot-stopper, commands his box, and represents a safe, low-risk pair of hands for a tie that are trying to go for promotion next season. He is the perfect person for Ejeheri to learn off as an understudy, and while he may not be the most flashy of operators, I don’t feel The Blues are going to get much better value in the market as well as available on a free transfer. The ideal candidate for number one.
Bosun Lawal (Celtic – loan)
If Birmingham City are to be promoted from League One next season at the first time of asking, The Blues are going to have to sign well and showing the manager some backing; I expect City to do that on both fronts. So much is the level of backing – coupled with the outward-facing positivity and weight of expectation – that I think City may splash the cash on one or two to bring them into St Andrews. One player who would be worth signing is Celtic’s Bosun Lawal.
Lawal is a player that just come off the back of a hugely successful loan spell with Fleetwood Town, and the youngster showed a real maturity and willing to learn; the fact that he was able to come into a side such as Fleetwood Town that were truggling near the foot of the table and adapt so quickly to be arguably the most important player for The Cods spoke volumes of just how highly he was rated. After Fleetwood Town were relegated from League One, the chances of him returning to the club this summer is rather slim. As such, I think there is an opportunity for City to flex their financial muscle and fork out to bring such a talented player of his ilk into the football club.
Signing Lawal would certainly be a statement showing of their owners’ intent to bring in top-end performers with room to getting out of League One next term. He is currently under contract North of the border with champions Celtic, albeit I envisage that they may once again look to ship him out on loan and not be a part of Brendan Rogers’ men. In an ideal world, to give Lawal the security of a potentially multi-year contract within the EFL at a club pushing for promotion back into the Championship at the first time of asking could be the type of attraction that can leave him interested for what is ahead; however, a loan deal might be the best route at this stage to be able to land him.
In terms of what type of player he is, Lawal is a powerful and energetic type that has shown to be a threat from set-pieces, is industrious, robust, is a strong and robust athlete, has an eye for goal and is strong technically. A centre-back by trade, Lawal was deployed further forward during his days with Watford in the academy prior to joining Celtic and at the age of just 21 plays with a level of authority befitting of years his senior. He is currently away with the Republic of Ireland team and has been tipped for a successful career in the game, and from what I saw of him at Fleetwood Town I think he has all of the attributes you want. A physical beast that is comfortable on the ball; what more do you need?
One of the reasons why I can see this signing being a possibility for The Blues is the fact that Bosun Lawal is on the books of Celtic, whose manager – of course – is Brendan Rogers. Chris Davies is one of Brendan Rogers’ long-time, trusted coaches having spent time with him in the youth-team at Reading, at Swansea City, Leicester City, Liverpool and Celtic. As such, Davies may well look for a favour from someone he knows well, and thus may be primed to be front of the queue for Lawal’s services.
Marc Leonard (Brighton and Hove Albion – loan)
The Blues may well lose a promising, young midfielder in the form of Jordan James during the summer, but I think that they should be looking at bringing in a young replacement in the form of Marc Leonard. The Scot has been touted for a move to St Andrews this summer, and so it makes a whole lot of sense to include the former Northampton Town man on the list of midfield selections.
Leonard has spent the last few seasons with League One outfit Northampton Town, helping them to get promoted out of League Two into the third tier. He has continued to be a prominent figure for Northampton Town as they have settled as a mid-table outfit in League One, with Leonard key to those efforts with his trickery to create in the final third, eye for a goal, ability to make runs into the box at the right time, and just generally burden the responsibility of being a creative influence for The Cobblers in an otherwise rather low-risk outfit.
The young Scot had his best campaign in Cobblers colours in 2023-24 with a total of 11 recorded goal involvements (5 goals and 6 assists) and has been tipped for a higher move this summer. Granted, signing for Birmingham City would be the same league as that which he was last year with Jon Brady’s men, but I do think that playing for a club with heightened expectation on them like Birmingham City is the sort of challenging environment that he may need at this point in his career to properly “stretch and challenge” him. For a club that are aiming for the title next season, Leonard would be seen very much as a coup.
The Blues have missed that notable output from the middle of the park over the course of last season, and if Jordan James departs – as he expects he may – then they will need to add an attacking midfielder to their ranks; as such, Leonard is perfect. He relishes playing in that advanced role behind the striker, finding pockets of space, getting on the turn, getting shots off and trying to open up the opposition defence is ideal for him. He was the subject of interest from Preston North End earlier in the window, however it now appears that he is no his way to St Andrews and I think he will do well for The Blues.
George Byers (Sheffield Wednesday – free)
The Blues may feel the need to go and add a bit of experience to their side that both knows League One and is capable of handling the step up to the Championship in the event that they are promoted. One player who I feel fits that bill nicely and is likely going to be available this summer after not being wanted by his current club is midfielder George Byers.
He is on the books of current Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday, but he has featured sparingly under new boss Danny Rohl; such absence has led many to expect him to depart this summer. Indeed, Bolton Wanderers – who are in the play-off final – have reportedly put themselves in the mix for his signature in the likely event that he is released by The Owls. And, while he may not have featured at the forefront of Wednesday’s efforts in the second tier, I think he would be a coup for the third and one that they could more than rely on beyond this year in the event of a return to the EFL’s premier division.
Byers is a player that I have always categorised as being an hard-working and honest type that has a lovely well-rounded range of skillsets both in and out of possession. He finished up the 2023-24 campaign out on loan with current League One outfit Blackpool, and showed glimpses of what he is capable of at his best. Described during his time at Sheffield Wednesday as being a “good passer, tough tackler and capable of scoring goals’, he is a well-rounded midfielder who I would say is not outstanding in any one stand out attribute, but is strong across the board.
With Blackpool likely interested in bringing him back to the club on a free this summer, and Bolton Wanderers also sniffing around the midfielder for his signature, it would underline Birmingham City’s ambitions this summer if they were able to land him and lure him to St Andrews. I stand by my view that he is more than capable of playing in the Championship, is a good age at 27 with lots of experience under his belt, has been promoted out of the third tier before and adds an intricacy and craft that they are perhaps crying out for. A signing that ticks so many boxes of what they need.
Antony Evans (Bristol Rovers – transfer)
In what is going to be a tough League One campaign, if Birmingham City are going to achieve an immediate return to the second tier then they will likely need to pull off one or two major coups in the transfer window. One player who has had another top individual season at the level and will have his fair share of interest this summer – one who would certainly fit the mould of being a marquee addition – is Bristol Rovers attacking player Antony Evans.
Evans has stood out as one of The Gas’ key players in the 2023-24 season, racking up a total of 12 goal involvements (six goals and assists apiece) and was an ever-present in making North of 40 appearances for them in the league. He is under contract until the end of the 2024-25 campaign, but if faced with a considerable fee to prize him away from The Memorial Stadium, Rovers may be in a position where they have to make a decision to let the midfielder go.
The Liverpool-born attacker is best in an attacking midfield role, and in the likely event that Jordan James is to depart the football club then Evans gives The Blues that attacking end product from midfield and ability to arrive from deep. He is a versatile attacking option that can play as an attacking midfield player, out wide on both sides, or through the middle; that ability to play in a number of roles makes him even more so a useful signing to give City the option to employ different systems.
Evans has progressed through a strong academy system at Everton, and so has had a good technical grounding. He is right-footed, has quick feet, is skilful, can take players on, is a proficient dribbler, has nimble movement, picks up clever pockets of space between opposition midfield and defence in which to get on the turn and get shots off, and gets good delivery into the box. An infectious work-rate, decent dead-ball threat and capable of different types of finishes; he could be the sort of attacking jewel that can inspire City’s renaissance in 2024-25.
Stephen Humphrys (Wigan Athletic – free)
As it stands, one area where City have to perhaps concentrate the bulk of their efforts is in bringing in some new striking options. The first option that I have plumped for as a possible consideration for Birmingham City – a player that impressed me whenever I saw him play in 2023-24 – is former Wigan Athletic front man Stephen Humphrys.
The former Southend United striker was let go by Wigan Athletic at the end of the season as one of a number of players released by The Latics; Stephen Humphrys was – I feel – the pick of those. He is a player who always struck me as being a powerful, well-built and dynamic front man who is perhaps not your out-and-out striker, but one who is capable of playing through the middle or equally adept being used in a reserved role just off the front where he has more license to get on the ball and run at the opposition.
Wherever Humphrys has been, he has never been a prolific forward, but one that has always shown himself as a capable finisher. Strong in the air and in attacking crosses, and one who prides himself on being able to get the ball down and get powerful shots off with his explosive left-foot, Humphrys is an all-action player that can be a real handful for opposition defenders given his size and close control, coupled with devastating finishing ability in front of goal.
The Oldham-born attacker is a little bit of an enigma and there is a degree of unpredictability about his play, but I like that. There were rumours of him being a target for newly-promoted League One outfit Wrexham this summer, and so to steal him off a fellow third tier side and one that will no doubt also harbour ambitions of being promoted out of the division in 2024-25 could well be a masterstroke from City in not only giving them an experienced front line operator, but also potentially diminish that of an opposition. As a free pickup, I think he would be worth a look.
Will Lankshear (Tottenham Hotspur – loan)
New manager Chris Davies has departed Tottenham Hotspur in order to take up the hottest at St Andrews, and as such I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns to his former side this summer to try and prize away a budding, young hotshot or two to bolster their ranks. City have certainly benefitted in using the loan market in recent terms, and so I think that The Blues should look to take advantage of that avenue once more to sign youngster Will Lankshear.
Lankshear is one of a handful of young strikers on the books with Spurs that are being tipped for involvement in the first-team in the future. Indeed, fellow young forward Micky Moore is one that I looked at as a possible inclusion on this list, but the England youth international has already been tipped to be amongst the squad players under Ange Postecoglou next season after a breakthrough 2023-24 in which he has proven himself on both domestic and international fronts. As such, I opted for fellow front man Will Lankshear as one that could indeed benefit from a loan spell out in first-team football and after a prolific 2023-24 at youth level, I feel that he would be a coup for League One and the firepower they’d need as a replacement for Jay Stansfield.
In terms of what type of forward he is, Lankshear is described as being a poacher with quick reactions, plays with intelligence befitting of a forward many years his senior, is described as a “fox in the box”, is nimble, has good agility in the final third, can make clever runs off the shoulder of the opposition defence and can is always looking to make those movements in behind. Lankshear does share some similarities to Stansfield in terms of his trickery, continual movement and energy at the top end of the pitch, and so in many ways would be the ideal replacement for the Fulham front man.
The Spurs academy prospect has had a strong season, finishing up with 23 goals to his name including a brace as they won the Premier League 2 play-off at the end of the season. He is only 19 years of age, and yet his performances for Spurs have seen him be recognised as Premier League 2 Player of the Season and so will not be short of interest this summer over possible loan moves. The fact that Davies has connections to Spurs may well put Birmingham City near the front of the queue to be able to land him.
Harvey Knibbs (Reading – transfer)
The final player on this list is one that The Blues would have to go and shell out a fee to land – given that he is currently under contract at his club – and that is Reading front man Harvey Knibbs. The Royals may have had another tough campaign, but Knibbs has impressed individually with a return of 11 goals and a total of 17 goal involvements in 45 appearances. With Reading continuing to have financial problems away from the pitch, City may well be able to profit and work a deal for the former Cambridge United man.
In terms of adding a player who is capable of being a top-end performer in League One and then handling the step-up to the Championship in the event they are promoted, I think Knibbs is well-suited to that. He was rumoured for a move to Plymouth Argyle last summer as The Pilgrims prepared for life in the second tier, and has forged out another successful campaign at League One level after doing so with Cambridge United prior to his move to Reading; as such, I think he has served his apprenticeship – so to speak – and is more than capable of a Championship move should it materialise.
The striker is now 25 years of age and has had four strong campaigns at first-team football under his belt, having broken through with Cambridge United in 2019. Knibbs is a rather unique profile of attacking player, with an athletic frame and lovely temperament. Direct, quick, tricky off either foot and comfortable be it receiving the ball in the air or on the floor; he is fairly creative, too.
Birmingham City are embarking on a new chapter this summer and they will hopefully be assembling a young, ambitious side that can be successful in League One and push to get out of it and stabilise themselves in the one above. Their squad needed a freshen up in any event, replacing experienced options with younger, more long-term investments, and adding a player of Harvey Knibbs is the exact sort of hungry, motivated, professional profile of addition that they should be looking to make.
Final Squad
So, how does the final squad look?
The graphic above provides an overview of the projected starting eleven taking into account those that are kept on from last season, and the suggestions as to who they may add in the summer.
In truth, the core of the squad remains largely untapped – despite relegation – with a new spine to the team providing better foundations on which to piece together a coherent XI.
The formation is essentially a 4-4-2 diamond, which becomes a 3-5-2 in position with Buchanan and Laird pushed up high as two attacking wing-backs, Bielik will slot into the makeshift backline to form a back three in possession, with Leonard and Evans coming more centrally to act as two #10’s behind the front two of Knibbs and Lankshear. In effect, the formation operates as a 3-1-4-2 when they are in possession off the ball. I quite like it.
Final Verdict
Regardless of who Birmingham City go on to sign this summer, there is one thing that is absolutely certain; the expectation levels on The Blues will be like nothing that has come before it. Even before a ball is kicked and before they have done any business, there will be an expectation on City to make an immediate return to the Championship. As such, there will be even greater scrutiny on new boss Chris Davies and the new American hierarchy to ensure that they spend their money wisely.
I could have been super ambitious with some of the names that I included on this list – and I feel I have to same extent – but on reflection I think that the options I’ve suggested represent the perfect middle ground between being experienced players for League One, and at the same time top-end, divisional performers who are capable of burdening the heightened expectation on The Blues’ shoulders in mounting a serious promotion push next season. I fully anticipate that Davies will look to make use of his contacts in negotiating who they do bring in, and I would imagine that was part of the reasoning behind why the City hierarchy opted for the Tottenham Hotspur first-team coach.
All in all, City have at their disposal a strong squad; it may not have been enough to keep them in the Championship, but there are a handful of players who will be comfortably some of the best in their position for League One. The job for City is being able to target quality – rather than quantity – to complement the retained core and if they can do that, they will be confident that they will make their stay in League One a relatively short one.
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