Experience has long been a prized commodity in football, and Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has certainly placed his faith in it. During their League One-winning campaign, Davies brought in seasoned players like Grant Hanley and Kieran Dowell—both veterans with promotion pedigrees—who steadied the team during high-pressure moments.
Recognizing the challenges of Championship football, Davies repeated this strategy last summer by signing a host of experienced players: Kyogo Furuhashi (30), Marvin Ducksch (31), Demarai Gray (29), Phil Neumann (28), Bright Osayi-Samuel (27), Jack Robinson (32), and Patrick Roberts (28) made up more than half of Birmingham’s summer acquisitions. A year on, these players are older, and in some cases, wiser—but their age also means limited resale value for the club.
When asked last July about prioritizing older players, Davies explained: “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. I found it last season; I relied on experienced players. When Grant Hanley and Kieran Dowell came in in January, I thought both had great influence. Especially with the expectations at a big club, you need calm heads on the pitch.”
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However, in the January window, Birmingham shifted gears, bringing in younger talents like 21-year-olds Jhon Solis and Ibrahim Osman on loan, alongside August Priske (21), Carlos Vicente (26), and Kai Wagner (28)—players who represent a balance of youth and prime years. Vincente and Priske, in particular, are viewed as ideal long-term investments, capable of growing with the club.
The trouble with last summer’s signings is their limited potential to generate future transfer income. Many are nearing or past their peak, leaving the club with little financial return and the need to offload players who no longer fit the squad. This short-term approach has put Birmingham in a challenging position, mirroring the situation faced in January when multiple players were effectively given away.
Looking ahead, Birmingham City must prioritize signing players who can embark on a long-term journey with the club—a mix of youthful promise and Championship experience. Davies acknowledges that while experience is crucial, it need not come exclusively from players in their thirties. There are younger, high-potential candidates who combine experience with longevity, fitting Birmingham’s resources more sustainably.
In modern football, where data analytics heavily influence recruitment, overlooking the importance of a player’s age—especially in a physically demanding league like the Championship—can be costly. For Birmingham to succeed and build a resilient squad, they must learn from last summer’s errors and focus on balanced signings that offer both immediate impact and future value.