Birmingham City may have suffered in the Championship recently, but if there was one thing going for them, it was how successful their academy system has been.
The Blues have developed a number of players who have contributed to the first team recently despite not having a Category One academy, with Jude Bellingham of England fame being the most notable.
While Jobe Bellingham, Bellingham’s younger brother, was playing for John Eustace’s Three Lions team last season before being traded to Sunderland, and midfielders George Hall and Jordan James have also been doing well in the senior setup, Bellingham is flourishing on the greatest stages for the Three Lions and now Real Madrid.
Junior Dixon
While Dixon has not progressed through the ranks at St Andrew’s, the Crystal Palace youngster was snatched up this summer on a free transfer.
After being pursued by teams like Borussia Dortmund last year, Dixon left the Eagles early this year and went on trial with the Blues, who were able to sign him to a contract. This move was viewed as somewhat of a coup.
The 18-year-old signed a one-year contract with a one-year extension option through 2025, and if he can build on his performance from last year with Palace with Birmingham’s under-21 team, Eustace may consider promoting him to the first team.
Last season, Dixon scored 10 goals in 15 games for Palace.
Romelle Donovan
Donovan, who turned 16 just last November, participated in Birmingham’s international preseason tour this past summer and was included in first team matchday squads three times last season (all in the FA Cup).
The winger is obviously highly regarded at the team and by Eustace because he was once again named to the substitutes’ bench for an EFL Cup match against Cheltenham in August.
If he plays for the under-21 team in addition to the under-18 team in 2023–24, Donovan still has a lot to show, but there is a good chance he will make his debut for Birmingham City as a teenager.
Brandon Khela
Khela, who has played for Birmingham since he was a youngster, signed a professional contract with the team in 2022. He made his senior debut for Birmingham earlier this season in the EFL Cup match against Cheltenham Town.
Midfielder Khela, who earned two under-17 England caps in 2022, is obviously well-liked at both the club and national levels. After being named to several matchday squads already this season, it should only be a matter of time until he makes his Championship debut.
Khela’s moment will come, whether it’s in the league or the FA Cup later in the season. Birmingham’s midfield is competitive because players like Jordan James and George Hall are there in addition to the more experienced options.
