Unlikely: Birmingham City Attacker Have A Issue With The Head Coach Tony Mowbray…..

Blues will need to address their goalkeeping issue in the coming months – and it will surely be at the top of their priority list.

Birmingham City haven’t needed to worry too much about their goalkeeping department in recent years.

There has been plenty of movement in other areas, but stability has been retained in the keeper position, and it could be argued that this has been one of their most successful areas.

Matija Sarkic was an excellent loan player for Blues during the first half of the 2021/22 campaign, before an injury ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

They were unable to bring him back during the summer of 2022, but that didn’t matter with John Ruddy putting pen to paper on a deal at St Andrew’s.

Ruddy and Neil Etheridge have been the Midlands side’s first two options ever since then – and Birmingham have been lucky to have had two experienced and capable shot-stoppers at their disposal.

However, both of their deals expire at the end of the campaign and this leaves Blues with plenty of work to do in the coming months.

John Ruddy’s Birmingham City future is uncertain
Ruddy has been one of the first names on the teamsheet for much of his time at St Andrew’s – and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him earn a new contract because of that.

The ex-Norwich City man’s experience could be extremely valuable in the dressing room, regardless of which division Birmingham find themselves in next season.

However, there will come a point when the club will need to look more towards the future and recruit a goalkeeper who’s likely to remain with Blues for an extended period.

Ruddy will be 38 in October and although keepers can often have longer-lasting careers than outfield players, it’s clear the Englishman won’t be staying at St Andrew’s for the long term, at least not as a player anyway.

Quite frankly, a player of Etheridge’s quality hasn’t played anywhere near enough in recent years.

Quite frankly, a player of Etheridge’s quality hasn’t played anywhere near enough in recent years.

He may have battled Covid-19, but after making a full recovery from the disease, he would have been hoping to secure a decent amount of game time under his belt.

It could be argued that the Philippines international is unlikely to attract much interest during the summer due to his lack of playing time in recent years.

But a departure looks likely, with the player reportedly on £23,000-per-week.

If his wage is anywhere near that figure, Birmingham will simply have to release him regardless of which division they are in next season.

Despite his lack of playing time, another EFL team may be keen to give him a chance considering the CV he has, so it would be difficult to see him staying unless he’s prepared to take a huge pay cut.

Even if he’s willing to do that, he may be keen to secure more game time.

Birmingham City must sort out their goalkeeping position
For the reasons stated above, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both keepers leave this summer and if they do, at least two new additions will be needed in this department.

They have been linked with Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears, but he is under contract at Ewood Park beyond the end of this summer and if they go down, it would be difficult to see them recruiting the Rovers man.

It’s difficult to know which keepers they should be looking to target considering they don’t know which division they will be in next season.

However, it’s clearly an area that needs looking at if they aren’t confident of retaining both of their existing senior options.

It’s never ideal to have a complete rebuild in a goalkeeping department, but that’s what may be required at St Andrew’s this summer.

Birmingham City must sort out their goalkeeping position

For the reasons stated above, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see both keepers leave this summer and if they do, at least two new additions will be needed in this department.

They have been linked with Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears, but he is under contract at Ewood Park beyond the end of this summer and if they go down, it would be difficult to see them recruiting the Rovers man.

It’s difficult to know which keepers they should be looking to target considering they don’t know which division they will be in next season.

However, it’s clearly an area that needs looking at if they aren’t confident of retaining both of their existing senior options.

It’s never ideal to have a complete rebuild in a goalkeeping department, but that’s what may be required at St Andrew’s this summer.