Phil Neumann signing would give Chris Davies an ‘uncomfortable’ problem at Birmingham City
Birmingham City are hoping to wrap up a deal for highly-rated German defender Phil Neumann.
The 27-year-old centre-back has been on Blues' radar for a while and the club failed in a bid to land him in the summer. But Hannover might be more willing to deal in January having come to the realisation that Neumann will not be extending his contract beyond the end of this season.
Neumann has been a stand-out defender in Bundesliga II for Hannover in recent years and they boast the best defensive record in their league at the halfway point. His signing would give Blues manager Chris Davies enviable strength-in-depth.
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Our Blues writers have taken a look at what the signing of Neumann would mean for Davies and his defensive department...
Alex Dicken
We were promised Blues would use relegation to League One to build ‘a Championship-ready squad’ but the signing of Neumann would indicate that the club has higher aspirations than to just compete once it returns to the second tier. Research on Neumann tells us that Blues would be snaring one of the best defenders outside the Bundesliga with all the physical qualities to succeed in the rough and tumble of English football.
Neumann’s arrival would, however, create quite the problem for Chris Davies. It would surely signal the end of Dion Sanderson’s time at the club and give Davies four centre-backs for two or three positions, depending on if the manager continues to use one as an inverted right-back. Ethan Laird’s electric display at Wigan has given Davies food for thought when it comes to that particular tactic.
Christoph Klarer appears to be undroppable and Bielik, as Blues’ captain, is edging towards being placed in that category. When Bielik has been fit this season, Davies has started him and he didn’t sign a new three-year contract last summer to sit on the bench.
If Davies persists with using a centre-back at right-back, Ben Davies would appear to be the fall guy which seems ludicrous considering Blues’ defensive record with him in the team. Davies has played 20 games now and Blues have only conceded seven times with him on the field. But he is a 29-year-old loan player and Blues haven’t invested that much in him.
We must also remember that Neumann will have to learn the Chris Davies way and might not be a guaranteed starter at the beginning. You can bet he will be by the time next season comes around though. If the project has been sold to Neumann in that way, Davies might find managing this quartet of centre-backs a tad easier.
Brian Dick
If Blues sign Neumann this month then surely that’ll indicate there’s a plan for Dion Sanderson to leave the club, either on loan or permanently. But even with Sanderson out of the picture that would leave Davies with some big decisions to make at the back.
Christoph Klarer, who could claim to be signing of the summer, captain Krystian Bielik and arguably the club’s most consistent centre-back Ben Davies, would be joined by a player in whom Blues have been keen for a couple of windows.
Four clearly doesn’t go into two – depending on if Davies plays with authentic full backs – and even if he fields three centre backs, as he has done with Bielik moving over to the right in possession, at least one is getting benched.
It’s not as easy as saying ‘leave the loan player out’ because Ben Davies is the one authentic left-sided centre-back which opens up angles not available to a right-footer on the left. It really is a dilemma.
Form-wise I think Bielik would be the most vulnerable on recent showings. I’d be staggered if Klarer isn’t a permanent starter and I can’t see Neumann being brought in to sit with the substitutes – which leaves Bielik v Davies.
Honestly, I’m stuck and the only way I can think through it is to feel it’s less of an issue to leave out a loan player than the man who sports the armband.
You could dismiss it as a ‘nice problem to have’ but this all feels a little uncomfortable. I suppose we have to get used to the bigger picture and an unfamiliar issue, which is having serious competition for places in every position.
