2 Birmingham City players to follow Jordan James out of St Andrew

admin | June 16, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Birmingham City were relegated to the third division of English football for the first time since 1995, but will be hoping to return to the Championship at the earliest opportunity, with Chris Davies currently in charge.

Under new ownership, the Blues have clearly displayed ambition, and the first signs of an exciting new dawn began to emerge last year, but relegation has undone some of the good work in the summer, with managerial appointments proving to be a particular difficulty in 2023-24.

However, there is little doubt that Birmingham has the financial resources to construct a strong League One squad. That much is obvious from the anticipated investment in the city’s new Sports Quarter, which will include a fresh new stadium and team training facility.

As envisioned, these cutting-edge facilities should be used by a team that meets their high criteria. That may not be the case right now, but relegation is expected to be a minor setback in the club’s current circumstances. Those affiliated with the club will hope that this is only a temporary blip.

Davies, a Tottenham Hotspur assistant, has been hired as their next manager, and his tenure will aim to bring greater success to a Blues side that has failed to finish higher than 17th in the Championship for seven consecutive seasons.

Naturally, wins will be easier to come by after relegation, but it also means that a substantial portion of their team is expected to depart, either as free agents, to return to their parent clubs after loan periods, or crucial players who are too excellent for third-tier football.

It means that the rebuilding process will be lengthy, and one player who will undoubtedly be in high demand is Jordan James, who has put in outstanding performances despite the club’s poor season. Here’s a look at two more players who are expected to leave St. Andrew’s.

Krystian Bielik

Krystian Bielik is the type of player who, if retained in League One, has the potential to alter Birmingham’s season.

The 26-year-old, who spent a year on loan at St Andrew’s and impressed under John Eustace, agreed to a three-year permanent contract with the West Midlands club last summer. Bielik’s career could have ended earlier as a result of multiple cruciate ligament injuries.

However, he remained fit for the Blues last season, which validated their decision to sign him in the summer for a low risk fee. He was one of the players that emerged with genuine credit despite the club’s relegation from the Championship.

He is a strong, aggressive, combative, and confident midfielder in possession. He can move the ball, is press-resistant, can break up play, and, when at his best, has a great engine in midfield. All of this, combined with his age, explains why he will attract more high-level suitors.

Derby once paid a club record £9.5 million sum to Arsenal for the Polish midfielder, showcasing his talent and explaining why Birmingham have little chance of keeping him in 2024/25.

Siriki Dembélé

Last summer, the transfer of Siriki Dembélé sparked widespread excitement among Birmingham fans. However, he has struggled to establish a continuous run of form, despite having plenty of obvious natural skill.

He clearly has the capacity to make a difference at this level and should play a part if they can keep him, as he can create the moments of magic that the Blues will need to climb out of the third division.

Dembélé, who signed from Premier League Bournemouth last summer, was unlike anything Birmingham had seen in recent years in terms of pace, dynamism, and directness in attack, but those are attributes that had previously translated to good form in his career, albeit at a higher level than League One.

His brace against Huddersfield in October demonstrated what he could do. However, with all of the managerial changes this season, it became difficult to maintain consistent minutes. Regardless, there should be higher-level bids in summer, which the club will undoubtedly explore.

Dembélé, with some stability and an arm over his shoulder, may thrive, whether with the Blues or elsewhere. His flare may cause havoc in League One, but it’s tough to imagine him playing anywhere other than English football’s second tier, or perhaps back in Scotland.