Birmingham City's retained and released list is out, and it's about bloody time! The Blues are gearing up for their return to the Championship, and they've got some big decisions to make.
Birmingham's record-breaking League One title win
The Blues absolutely smashed it in League One, setting an EFL record with 111 points and winning 34 out of their 46 games. But that was then, and this is now. They need to focus on the future and make sure they're ready for the challenges ahead.
The co-ownership of NFL legend Tom Brady
With NFL legend Tom Brady as one of their co-owners, Birmingham City have got some serious clout behind them. They spent around £30 million on signings last time they were in the Championship, and they're set to splash even more cash this summer. But money doesn't guarantee success, and they need to make sure they're spending it wisely.
The notable departures from the club
Defender Grant Hanley is one of the big names leaving the club after his contract expires. He signed from Norwich City in January and made 17 appearances for the Blues, but he couldn't quite make the grade. South Korean full-back Lee Myung-Jae is also on his way out after just three appearances following his move from Ulsan HD. And let's not forget Lukas Jutkiewicz, who made 358 appearances for the club before retiring. He'll be a big loss.
The potential return of Che Adams
But it's not all bad news for Birmingham City. They're reportedly keen on re-signing Che Adams, who previously made 123 appearances for the club and scored 38 goals before leaving in 2019. He's spent one season at Torino in Serie A, but he's keen to return to England. The only question is whether he'd be willing to drop down to the Championship. Birmingham will need to do some serious persuading if they want to bring him back to St. Andrew's.
The challenges ahead for Birmingham City
The Championship is a tough league, and Birmingham City will need to be at their best if they want to succeed. They've got some serious competition, and they'll need to make sure they're ready for the fight. With the right signings and a bit of luck, they could be in with a shout of promotion. But if they get it wrong, they could be in for a long and difficult season. Only time will tell which way it will go.
