Relegation to League One could prove to be the making of a talented crop of Birmingham City youngsters. Blues have dropped down to the third tier for the first time in 30 years after an arduous campaign in the Championship.
One of the positives owners Knighthead have clung onto throughout the season is the performance of their youth teams. The under-18s have stormed to a first-placed finish, while the under-21s will contest the end-of-season play-offs after an impressive Professional Development League performance. Steve Spooner’s side includes a number of players who could be useful assets in League One.
We must not forget that there is a group of youngsters on the fringes of Blues’ first team who could also be essential to earning promotion next term. Here are seven players who could thrive in League One…
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Romelle Donovan
Still only 17, Donovan is the great hope of Blues’ academy. He joined the first team set-up permanently under Wayne Rooney and made 10 appearances last season, including two starts.
Donovan dropped back down to the under-21s in February and has been a shining light in their surge towards promotion. He has scored 11 times for the second string from a variety of forward positions.
George Hall
Hall is one of the players Blues could build their team around. After a season ravaged by hamstring injuries, Hall needs to rediscover his confidence and rhythm this summer.
Those inside the camp think very highly of Hall and he has the quality to tear up League One. Given all of his injuries in the past 12 months, this might be a good starting point for a 20-year-old with undeniable talent who hasn’t really proven himself yet.
Alfie Chang
Chang wasn’t able to play his part last season due to a knee injury sustained in August. Encouragingly, the midfielder has started to work with the ball out on the grass at Blues’ training ground.
Twelve months ago Chang was good enough to occasionally anchor Blues’ midfield in the Championship. If the scars from his lengthy absence are only surgical, Chang could be an asset in League One.
Josh Williams
Williams was expected to kick on in League One after being handed a new three-year contract last summer. The right-sider was loaned out to Cheltenham Town but he was sent back to Blues in January having only made eight appearances.
The 21-year-old showed potential in the Championship two years ago but he hasn’t been able to build on it. Williams’ pre-season last year was blighted by injury, he needs to make a big impression on whoever the manager is this year to force his way back into the club’s plans.
Brandon Khela
The 19-year-old caught the eye last pre-season with his technique and his ability to play multiple positions. Khela made two senior appearances under John Eustace but Donovan was preferred during Rooney’s tenure.
Khela joined Ross County on loan in January and played 13 times in the Scottish Premiership. He has featured in wins over Hearts and Rangers but Khela hasn’t been able to escape the pressure of a relegation battle in Scotland. Ross County could yet face a play-off game to remain in the Scottish top flight.
Josh Home
Home has become a leader of Blues’ second string this season, despite being one of the youngest members of Spooner’s squad. The midfielder will turn 19 this summer and will fancy his chances of forcing his way into the first team.
He was among the youngsters to impress in pre-season last year and Eustace considered him one of the ‘ones to watch’ at the beginning of the campaign. Home made the match day squad on Boxing Day against Stoke City.
Junior Dixon
The striker has been prolific for the under-21s this season and has to be the most talked about player outside the first team. Dixon was an unused substitute against Preston in September but he hasn’t come close to making a first team squad since.
The six managers Blues had last term, permanent and interim, didn’t believe Dixon was ready for Championship football. Maybe the drop down to League One will help him bridge the gap between development and professional football at Blues.
