Alex Dicken makes a case for Birmingham City to sign Derby County midfielder Max Bir
Birmingham City will have to spend money to construct a team in the image of Wayne Rooney.
The new manager is presently working with players signed for John Eustace, which indicates that the upcoming transfer windows will be used to change the squad’s makeup. A clear-out may have to wait until next summer, when 12 players are out of contract, although there may be room for a deal or two in January if the Blues stay within the Financial Fair Play rules.
Rooney acknowledged just two weeks ago that he would like to sign some players. While the manager cannot be expected to reveal such names publicly, we may all speculate on the positions the Blues should prioritize.
Come next summer, if out-of-contract duo Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz are not retained and Jay Stansfield returns to parent club Fulham, the Blues will not have a senior striker on their books. The lesser-spotted Tyler Roberts will be the closest thing to a center-forward.
Signing a new striker before the Blues are left without one at all would make sense. Players who are capable of scoring goals in the championship don’t come cheap, and they aren’t all that easy to find.
Blues are well stocked in most other positions, but in order for Rooney’s system to work, a new midfielder wouldn’t go amiss. While the Blues have ample defensively-minded types, Rooney is missing a ball-playing midfielder who can start attacks.
In Max Bird, Rooney played his part in developing one at Derby County. Bird broke through at Pride Park while Rooney was still a player and learned some tricks of the trade from one of England’s all-time greats.
He excelled under Rooney, the manager, during Derby’s troubled 2021/22 campaign, which eventually resulted in relegation thanks to two separate point deductions. To everyone’s surprise, Bird has stayed at Pride Park and played in League One after three seasons of championship football before his 22nd birthday.
Now 23, Derby might not be able to hang on to Bird for much longer. Hull City, who are managed by ex-Derby coach Liam Rosenior, tried to recruit him in the summer, and other Championship clubs are lurking. Their causes will be helped when Bird enters the final six months of his contract in January.
Bird might have the qualities that Rooney wants, not just technically but in terms of his mentality too. Speaking about Bird two years ago, Rooney said: “He is a player I know wants to learn, and that is great to see in a young lad. He wants to learn and does everything the right way to make sure he gets the best out of his career.
“You need that. I have seen so many players who have talent but don’t have the determination to make the most of it, but I have also seen players who maybe aren’t as talented but have had a very good career. Max has a lot of talent and ability, but he wants to get better. What Max is: you get the top teams in the Premier League, and you see how they work every day to get better; he is of that mindset.”
For a midfielder whose responsibility is to start attacks rather than finish them, Bird has posted good numbers in League One this season. Two goals and three assists in 11 matches is an impressive return. Bird’s pass completion rate was always above 80 percent during his championship days with Derby. Of the Blues’ regular starters in midfield, Krystian Bielik is the only one who can say that this season.
Only time will tell whether Rooney tries to fight Rosenior for their former protégé. On the face of it, Bird looks like he could be a good fit for Rooney’s Blues.
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