Hot Seat Exclusive: Birmingham city Gaffer Spills The Beans On Highly Sought City Star.
Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray has revealed that the club rejected bids for Jordan James during the transfer window, as reported by Birmingham Live.
The former Sunderland manager has described the number of bids received from Serie A side Atalanta as ‘derisory’ and joked that James could be worth more than £30 million by the time the next transfer window arrives.
Having kept hold of their young starlet, the Blues and Mowbray are now keen to ensure the player’s development continues and his value continues to rise.
When asked about the valuation of the 19-year-old, Mowbray responded, “Thirty-odd million, it’s got to be.
Mowbray was then asked about the Atalanta offers for the 8-cap Welsh international, he said, “I don’t think you can argue against that really. He’s a young international footballer that plays most weeks and scores goals. I think the club are making the right choice.”
On transfer deadline day, Blackburn Rovers lost their England Under 21 international Adam Wharton to the Premier League, with Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace shelling out a reported fee of £22 million.
Mowbray made a brief reference to how he and James have discussed the move of Wharton to Palace and where Jordan James sees himself in comparison to the former Rovers player.
“I would never say what he said. But we did have a conversation about how he compares himself to Wharton.”
Jordan James has already featured 88 times for the St Andrew’s outfit and has scored six times in the Championship this season. When this record is compared to Wharton, James has okayed 37 more games and managed four more goals this season.
It is safe to say that Tony Mowbray is a huge admirer of the Hereford-born midfielder, “He can score a goal, first and foremost. For a young boy, he knows where the net is. I like his ability to put his foot on the gas and change pace through midfield, he has some power in his legs. He’s a confident boy who doesn’t get pushed around.”
“He has lots of good attributes but he has things to work on as well. He has to scan more and be aware of what’s around him. Everybody’s passing can develop. He has lots of aspects of his game to grow and get better at.”
Birmingham will be delighted to have kept hold of one of their prize assets and will hope new signings Alex Pritchard and Seung-ho Paik can help continue an upturn in form under Mowbray.