The 2 Birmingham City players we can see leaving in January

Birmingham City made major team changes after being relegated to League One for the first time since 1995.

Blues have risen to prominence in the third tier due to their reputation, Knighthead’s goals, and significant summer investment.

Chris Davies’ first window as manager included a record-breaking permanent transfer for Jay Stansfield from Fulham. The 21-year-old was one of 17 new arrivals.

Furthermore, Juninho Bacuna, Jordan James, and Koji Miyoshi were among the 18 players that left the club between the end of the 2023/24 relegation season and the close of the summer transfer window on August 30.

Of course, such deep squad depth has given Birmingham the best chance to improve on their dominant start to the season, but it has also reduced the possibilities of regular game time for some of Davies’ players.

Football League World analyses potential departures in January, both permanent and temporary.

Dion Sanderson

Dion Sanderson was a key figure in Birmingham’s relegation from the Championship last season.

However, despite the sense of continuity and comfort that comes with having the 24-year-old on the books, it’s unlikely that the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man will feature regularly under Davies anytime soon.

Sanderson was deprived of leadership late last season and struggled with a foot injury in the first two months of League One.

Although he has made over 90 appearances for the club, it would take an extraordinary sequence of events to see the man who has made over 90 appearances for the club become a regular starter once again in the near future. The Blues also have the services of former Liverpool and Rangers man, Ben Davies.

The defender signed a four-year contract with Blues in August 2023. If he leaves, the club can still reclaim a significant amount of money.

Alfie Chang

Alfie Chang, a 22-year-old centre midfielder, has experienced a string of bad luck over the past 13 months.

Chang made a great breakthrough in the 2022/23 season under John Eustace, including 13 Championship matches. However, he was injured in August due to a knee injury and is still recovering from it.

While sidelined, the academy graduate was given a contract extension until summer 2026. However, the Blues’ midfield options have radically shifted since then.

Paik Seung-Ho, Tomoki Iwata, Marc Leonard, and Luke Harris have all passed through the door at B9 since Chang’s last appearance, but his new employer hasn’t stopped praising him for his determination to heal quickly.

“Every morning when I come in, he is the first player in. He’s in the gym and has worked exceptionally hard during his rehabilitation. “He’s one of those players you just hope will get back to full fitness and start to flourish because he’s got a brilliant attitude,” Davies added.

Given this decision, a loan swap in January with one and a half years remaining on his contract could be the best option for all parties.

That is not to say Chang has talent, but the current form of Paik and Iwata makes it incredibly difficult for the midfielder to break into the starting lineup anytime soon.

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