Blues are well on their way to the Championship with a substantial lead at the top of League One and several games in hand to accomplish promotion back to the English second tier.
Birmingham were always the clear favourites to win the title following their unprecedented expenditure in last summer’s transfer window but it’s still been a very impressive feat to dominate like they have. Chris Davies’ side have lost just twice in 29 league matches, winning 21 and drawing six. The most recent defeat was all the way back in November, the 3-2 away at Shrewsbury Town.
Planning ahead to next season has already begun with much of the recent January transfer window spent thinking ahead to August. Blues recently secured the pre-contract signing of Phil Neumann from Hannover 96, with the central defender – definitely good enough to start for most top Championship teams – set to join up with Davies’ side at the start of July. With no transfer fee involved, it’s quite the coop.
Lee Myung-jae was another free signing secured a few weeks ago, the South Korean international left-back joining until the end of the current season to provide emergency cover for Alex Cochrane following Lee Buchanan’s long-term injury. Although Myung-jae is yet to play, it was clever business to bring him in – and it probably won’t be the last time Blues dip into the free agents market.
With a fair few free deals already secured by Birmingham recently, it got us thinking who could – and possibly should – be next. There are currently 113 Championship players set to become free agents in the summer, so possibly one of those could be recruited to help Blues’ mission to reach the Premier League.
Having sifted through the list, there’s one name that really stands out and it’s West Bromwich Albion’s John Swift. The Baggies are yet to renew the playmaker’s contract and BirminghamWorld understands he isn’t planning on signing a new deal at this stage.
Swift’s first two seasons at The Hawthorns were a great success as he scored 17 goals and made 11 assists in 89 appearances across all competitions. This campaign has been quite the failure, however, with merely the one goal contributed in 30 matches.
Tony Mowbray certainly appreciates Swift’s technical attributes but the new head coach has preferred a midfield pairing of Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby, with the likes of Tom Fellows, Mikey Johnston and Grady Diangana occupying the wide positions. Swift has become rather frustrated as a result and is open to a new challenge.
It’s understood the 29-year-old was very close to signing for Championship relegation battlers Derby County on deadline day but the deal fell through. Although the transfer wasn’t completed, the fact it made its way to an advanced stage suggests Swift would be open to joining a team down the bottom end of the standings.
How would John Swift fit in at Birmingham?
Blues already have half a dozen excellent attacking midfield options in , Willum Willumsson, Scott Wright, Keshi Anderson, Luke Harris and Kieran Dowell but the latter two are only on loan and will depart in June. Squad slots will open up as a result, so Blues will likely dip into the market for another playmaker or two.
Swift may not be in great form this season but the former England under-21 international had been a prolific performer in the Championship for the nine campaigns prior. In total, the versatile midfielder has racked up 55 goals and 49 assists in 328 second-tier appearances, the most of which were with Reading.
He may lack agility and turn of pace but Swift’s vision, passing and set piece deliveries are among the very best in the Championship when he’s on song. The Chelsea academy product is also typically rather clinical in front of goal when presented with opportunities. These qualities could really benefit Blues as they seek to finish in play-off contention during their first season back in the Championship.
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