Anis Mehmeti signs: Birmingham City's dream XI after September 1st | OneFootball

FLW has looked at a potential dream XI for Chris Davies post-Deadline Day

After an indifferent 2025/26 season upon their return to the Championship, Birmingham City will be hoping for added consistency in their bid to make the play-offs.

The door is now open for Blues to elevate themselves to that next level due to the expansion of the play-offs, with Chris Davies already making a handful of changes to his squad after finishing 10th in 2025/26.

After two extremely active transfer windows last season, it was a slow-burner this time due to the World Cup, although some Bluenoses would like to see further quality and depth added between now and when the summer window shuts on September 1st.

With that said, Football League World have looked at a potential dream lineup for the 41-year-old for between then and the resumption of transfer business in January.

GK: James Beadle

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Between the sticks is James Beadle, who returned from Brighton and Hove Albion last month for a second successive loan spell at St. Andrew's.

The 22-year-old played the vast majority of Birmingham's Championship outings last season after displacing Ryan Allsop, and despite keeping eight clean sheets, often split opinion and, therefore, will hope to show further developments in his game.

At right-back is Nigerian international, Bright Osayi-Samuel, who will also be hoping to win over some supporters after an indifferent first term in B9.

But, despite being linked with a return to Fenerbahçe in July, the experienced figure did impress significantly in the recent EFL Cup success over Swansea City, and more of the same will be hoped for.

CB: Phil Neumann

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Another recruit of last summer was Phil Neumann, who joined after a pre-contract agreement with Hannover 96, and it is fair to say the German's performances at the heart of defence caught the eye of some sides, even if he was more of a solid, not spectacular, operator.

Neumann, 29, has reportedly appeared on the radar of Premier League newcomers, Hull City, meaning that if he was to depart, a swift replacement in terms of depth would have to be found with very little time in the window, even with Dael Fry and Jack Robinson providing pre-existing cover.

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Alongside Neumann is captain, Christoph Klarer, who remains, arguably, the first name on Davies' teamsheet after a continuous amount of consistent performances in royal blue.

The Austrian is extremely well-rounded in terms of his defensive attributes and ball-playing ability, whilst also providing a threat in attacking situations, which could be further improved by the addition of Scott Fry as set-piece coach.

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It was a blow for Birmingham to lose Kai Wagner in July, as the German returned to Philadelphia Union, but that was soon softened by the capture of USMNT international, Kristoffer Lund.

Left-back has proven to be a problem position throughout Davies' tenure, so he will hope the man who played 33 times in the Bundesliga on loan for FC Cologne last term has the added bonus of availability, as well as high-level quality.

DM: Max Bird

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Birmingham have an array of central midfield options despite injuries to Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Marc Leonard, and the signing of Max Bird from Bristol City was confirmed earlier this week on a three-year contract.

After suffering a calf injury at the beginning of last season, the 25-year-old made 15 league appearances, having previously been a key part of the Robins side which made the 2023/24 play-offs under Liam Manning, providing as many as eight assists from a deep-lying role.

DM: Jhon Solis

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Alongside Bird is powerful Colombian midfielder, Jhon Solis, who returned from FC Girona for a permanent £6m fee in June.

Despite being 21 years of age, Solis added a strong amount of physicality and composure in the middle of the park for Birmingham in the second half of last season, and it is a mouth-watering prospect for supporters to consider how good he can become in the future as the club targets the Premier League.

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Spanish winger, Carlos Vicente, also arrived in January from Deportivo Alaves, and after registering four goal contributions in his opening months in the Championship, is targeting a double-figure tally in both goals and assist in his first full season at St. Andrew's.

He got off the mark on that front with an assist in the cup victory over Swansea, which was a huge confidence boost.

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Meanwhile, the 'number 10' position is certainly up for grabs, with Jay Stansfield previously featuring there, whilst Birmingham have also missed out on a deal for Joe Gelhardt, after reportedly being on the verge of striking a deal with Leeds United.

And, after their promotion to the Premier League, it remains to be seen how much gametime Anis Mehmeti is afforded at Ipswich Town, after making a cut-price move from Bristol City in January.

The 25-year-old, who has over 40 goal contributions at the level, played 18 times for Town after his switch, but was still a substitute in a third of those games.

And, even if a loan deal was on the cards between Blues and Gary O'Neil's side, it could be one worth exploring.

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Based off Davies' comments, it would also be a dream of his to re-sign Ibrahim Osman on loan from Brighton, after the Ghanaian impressed the 41-year-old on the pitch and in training in the second half of last season.

But, it has been described as an 'unlikely' deal at present by the Blues boss after his run of two goals and as many assists in 17 games.

Furthermore, the 21-year-old has been heavily involved in pre-season at the AMEX Stadium as Albion prepare to compete in the UEFA Conference League and Premier League.