Following the dramatic dismissal of former head coach John Eustace from Birmingham City, Wayne Rooney took over. The Blues’ 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough on Saturday did not give him the best possible start.
Rooney is anticipated to receive some funding during the January transfer window in an effort to bolster his team, even though Eustace brought in a lot of new players to St Andrew’s during the summer.
But what if Rooney decides to bring in a few more players right now?
Rooney can only accomplish that through the free agent market, therefore let’s take a look at SEVEN players who don’t currently have a club and might be able to help the Midlands team.
Kevin Malcuit
After joining from Manchester United in the summer, Ethan Laird’s injuries have been problematic, thus City might use some backup on the right side of their defense.
Without a doubt, Laird is a talented player, but even though he’s back in training, more injuries could still happen given that he hasn’t been seen since August.
Malcuit, a former right-back for Napoli, was last seen playing 20 games in the Turkish top division with one goal last season for Ankaragücü.
Malcuit, who is 32 years old and has played professional football in both France and Italy, would provide some experience in the near term.
Djavan Anderson
Anderson could be the ideal choice for Rooney if he wants to go with a right-back who has experience playing in England.
Dutch full-back/winger Anderson signed for League One’s Oxford United as a free agent in September 2022 after playing for Lazio, the biggest team in Italy. Anderson made 30 appearances for the U’s throughout the season.
The fact that United chose not to use the Dutchman’s additional year of contract extension may indicate that he isn’t talented enough for the Championship, but he is imaginative enough to be considered.
Ryan Bertrand
Bertrand, whose career has stalled slightly, was let go by Leicester this past summer after making only 11 appearances in just two years.
The 34-year-old was sidelined for most of the previous season following knee surgery, but he did play for the under-21 team towards the end of the campaign. Currently searching for a new club, he has been working out for fitness with former team Chelsea.
With Lee Buchanan’s recent ankle injury, 19-cap England international Bertrand might offer Emmanuel Longelo some competition and decent short-term left-back protection for Rooney.
Souleyman Doumbia
Doumbia is another left-back who might be able to compete with Longelo.
The 27-year-old, who was most recently at Angers in the top division of France, appeared in 24 league games the previous season and was presumably their first choice left-back when healthy and available.
Doumbia would offer some experience down the left with his seven senior caps for the Ivory Coast, and he is currently in his prime.
Luke Freeman
Birmingham still lacks that occasionally creative edge both in the middle and out wide; Freeman could help.
Freeman was a consistent Championship performer for Bristol City and QPR before his 2019 move to Sheffield United of the Premier League fell through, and he has since struggled with injuries.
Freeman, who is still only 31 years old, participated in 26 games during Luton’s promotion-winning 2022–2023 campaign. His left foot might provide Birmingham with some depth both as a winger and at number ten.
Tariqe Fosu
But, if Rooney is looking for a flexible winger, he has the chance to sign Fosu, who is astonishingly still available.
The Ghanaian international left Brentford over the summer, but in the second half of the 2022–2023 campaign, he made an impression while on loan at Rotherham.
The 27-year-old has a lot to give and can play on either flank, in the middle of the pitch, or at wing-back. He may also free up Jay Stansfield to play through the middle.
Andre Ayew
The 33-year-old Ghanaian attacker Ayew has experience playing in the Championship for Swansea City, so Birmingham may be a good fit for him if he’s looking for a new challenge.
Ayew, who scored a lot of goals for Al-Sadd in Qatar in 2021 and 2022, should know where the goal is in the Championship. Since Rooney’s choices at center forward don’t seem all that promising, Ayew would be a great short-term option.
