Birmingham City must learn from their transfer approach last summer to avoid repeating costly mistakes. The club placed a heavy emphasis on experience during the 2025 summer window, signing several players in their late twenties and early thirties. While experience is valuable, the strategy left the squad short on long-term assets and resale value.
The Experience Gamble
Manager Chris Davies values experience, and it showed in his recruitment. Ahead of the League One title-winning season, he brought in Grant Hanley and Kieran Dowell, both with promotion experience at higher levels. For the Championship campaign, Davies again leaned on seasoned players.
Last summer, Blues signed Kyogo Furuhashi (30), Marvin Ducksch (31), Demarai Gray (29), Phil Neumann (28), Bright Osayi-Samuel (27), Jack Robinson (32), and Patrick Roberts (28). These players made up more than half of the new arrivals. All are now a year older, and while some may be wiser, their market value has not grown.
Davies on the Strategy
In a conversation last July, Davies was asked about targeting older players. He replied: “There’s not been too much strategy behind that other than whether they are the right player. We always look at their value and how that’s going to increase or decrease over time and weigh that all up but I think experience counts for a lot in this game.”
He added: “I found it last season, I relied on experienced players. When Grant Hanley and Kieran Dowell came in in January I thought both of them had great influence. Especially when there’s such expectation at a club, you need cool heads on the pitch and people that can deal with it at big clubs.”
A Shift in January
The January transfer window saw a change in approach. Blues brought in younger talents on loan: Jhon Solis (21), Ibrahim Osman (21), and August Priske (21). Carlos Vicente, aged 26, and Kai Wagner, 28, also joined. These signings suggest a recognition that younger players with potential resale value are crucial.
There is nothing wrong with signing a 28-year-old on a three-year deal if they are the right fit. However, the problem with last summer’s recruits is that they are no longer assets. The club is unlikely to recoup significant transfer fees for them, mirroring the situation in January when Blues effectively gave away unwanted players.
Lessons for the Future
The short-term thinking has left Birmingham with work to do. This summer, they must target players who can grow with the club. Vicente and Priske are ideal examples, while Solis and Osman also fit that mold. Additionally, Blues need to factor in Championship experience—an ingredient they overlooked last year but which Davies now wants to address.
You don’t have to sign 32-year-olds with promotion experience. There are better, younger alternatives for clubs with the resources of Birmingham City. In a data-driven world, age cannot be ignored, especially in a physically demanding league.
