Birmingham City heavily relied on Brighton this summer, bringing in key players, but the outcomes have been mixed. While goalkeeper James Beadle has firmly established himself as the Blues' first choice with several strong performances, defenders like Eiran Cashin have struggled for game time.
Brighton, who invested £9 million in Cashin, are increasingly questioning whether their asset would benefit from returning or moving elsewhere during the January window. Though highly rated for his Championship displays with Derby County, Cashin has yet to find his rhythm at Birmingham.
Chris Davies, Birmingham’s head coach, acknowledged Cashin’s predicament: “He played well against Sheffield United in the cup but has mostly been a peripheral figure since. His training mentality is outstanding, which is impressive for a loan player, but match opportunities have been scarce.”
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Cashin’s one start in September against Sheffield Wednesday was a costly one; he was culpable for two goals in a game Birmingham narrowly drew thanks to a late equalizer. Since then, chances have been limited, and with Birmingham’s skipper Christoph Klarer potentially suspended for their upcoming match, the decision to start Cashin again looms. However, Jack Robinson is likely to be preferred as partner to Phil Neumann at center-back.
At just 24, Cashin urgently needs regular playing time to develop. A return to Brighton would allow Birmingham to open a loan slot and seek defensive reinforcements better suited to their immediate needs. With opportunities drying up, the termination of Cashin’s loan feels increasingly inevitable as January approaches.