"Marc Leonard’s an interesting one" – Potential Birmingham City exits explored | OneFootball

Birmingham City fan pundit Mike Gibbs has suggested players who could be leaving St Andrew’s during the January transfer window.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City are flying high at the top of League One and are on course for an immediate return to the Championship.

Possessing the highest budget in the third tier under American owner Tom Wagner, the West Midlands outfit have kept themselves towards the top end of the division throughout the season so far, with their immense depth and quality in the squad helping them cope with a change of environment.

Despite sitting pretty at the top, there is only a five-point gap between themselves and third-placed Wrexham, so Blues will have to stay alert and keep the forward momentum going under Chris Davies to ensure they make it back to the second tier without a hitch.

With fresh investment and ideas at the table for Birmingham, the January transfer window provides another opportunity to balance the books and leave the team well-equipped for the remaining hurdles of the League One campaign.

While incomings are sure to be a priority, the club will also be assessing what players need to be moved out to secure more regular gametime, and Football League World’s Birmingham City fan pundit has discussed some of the options Birmingham may have to offload.

Potential Birmingham City exits

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Birmingham City fan pundit Mike Gibbs outlined the Birmingham players he thinks may depart the club in January, and highlighted a potential shock move away for first team player Marc Leonard.

Gibbs said: “If you asked me this question last week or the weekend I’d have said Dion Sanderson, but he’s moved out on loan already to Blackburn, while the other one in my mind was Alfons Sampstead. I thought we’d terminate his loan due to a lack of playing time, but he’s now played back-to-back games and has performed well, so the two pressing options have gone away.

“I think there are a few peripheral players that I could see going out on loan. Alfie Chang’s come back from a very bad injury and been out for a long time, so it would make sense for him to get minutes elsewhere, while Romelle Donovon doesn’t appear to be involved with the first team and has been recalled off the back of his Burton Albion loan deal, so I could see him going elsewhere too.”

Gibbs added: “Of the remaining squad and those who are very closely linked to the first team, I think Marc Leonard’s an interesting one. I definitely wouldn’t want to see him go, and I think we absolutely need to keep him, but he has had minutes reduced, and we have got other options, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman while Krystian Bielik can play in midfield as well.

“I don’t see it happening, but there’s always a question mark. I think Chris Davies has said that he’s the best player in the league not playing every week.”

Birmingham City have key transfer decisions to make

The suggestion of loaning out Marc Leonard is an interesting decision Birmingham may have to address if interest emerges.

The 23-year-old has largely had to make an impression off the bench this season while in the West Midlands, but there’s no doubt he has the talent to play a key role for most League One clubs.

It’s an unusual situation Leonard faces given the sheer depth and ability of the Blues squad, and a loan move away could be what is needed to remind the remainder of the third tier about the quality he has.

Meanwhile, moves away for Alfie Chang and Romelle Donovon seem like logical decisions, with both men unlikely to stamp their authority on the current first team setup and are in need of minutes to keep their careers ticking along for the remainder of the season.