Football Season Guide

Birmingham City

In


Dion Sanderson (def) Wolves – loan made permanent; Krystian Bielik (mid) Derby – loan made permanent; Koji Miyoshi (mid) Royal Antwerp; Siriki Dembele (att) Bournemouth; Keshi Anderson (att) Blackpool; Tyler Roberts (att) Leeds; Ethan Laird (def) Man Utd; Ivan Sunjic (mid) Hertha Berlin – end of loan; Sam Cosgrove (att) Plymouth – end of loan

Out


Tahith Chong (r) (mid) Luton; Auston Trusty (r) (def) Arsenal – end of loan; Troy Deeney (r) (att) released; Reda Khadra (r) (att) Brighton – end of loan; Hannibal Mejbri (sp) (mid) Man Utd – end of loan; Maxime Colin (r) (def) released; Harlee Dean (sp) (def) released; George Friend (sp) (def) Bristol Rovers; Jobe Bellingham (sp) (mid) Sunderland; Jordan Graham (sp) (mid) released; Nico Gordon (def) Solihull Moors – on loan

2022/23 was an underwhelming season really for the Blues. Never challenging for the playoff places and staying fairly clear of the bottom three, eventually finishing 17th. It has been a similar story over the last few campaigns for Birmingham. They will hope for some improvement in John Eustace’s second season in charge. There is cause for optimism at St Andrews following a recent takeover of the club and a host of new signings. Deals for Sanderson and Bielik have been made permanent after they impressed on loan last season. Going forward wingers Miyoshi, Dembele and Anderson have the attributes to provide the creativity and pace that was badly missed last season. Further arrivals are expected. Moving out of the club – Chong, a rare source of attacking flair last season, has been snapped up by Luton. Player of the season Trusty has gone back to parent club Arsenal. Experienced campaigners Deeney, Colin, Friend and Dean have also left. Birmingham were pretty solid and hardworking under Eustace last season but struggled going forward only managing 47 goals in their 46 league games. They have a new-look attack now though and have been scoring goals in pre-season. The left-side of defence is a concern with Trusty not yet replaced.

Target


With a few more acquisitions in key areas should be targeting a playoff push.