Birmingham City 'regret' raised as Chris Wilder seals exciting Sheffield United deal | OneFootball

Ex-Blues man Romelle Donovan has now made a return to the Championship

Birmingham City's preparations for the new Championship season are well underway, but after making two moves of their own in the summer transfer market, they may have a close eye on developments elsewhere concerning a previous academy graduate.

Indeed, prior to the takeover at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park by American investment group, Knighthead Capital Management, the utilisation of the club's best young talent coming through at Wast Hills was vitally important, especially from a financial sense in the future.

The player who epitomises that above all else is current Real Madrid and England star, Jude Bellingham, who ensured that Blues were left extremely well off in terms of transfer funds way down the line after his initial switch to Borussia Dortmund.

Jobe Bellingham and Jordan James then came through the academy ranks at similar times and went on to feature heavily under John Eustace, who was sacked just under three years ago and replaced by former England and Manchester United great, Wayne Rooney.

Rooney had previously overseen the development of several names who are now established in the EFL during a tricky time at Derby County, and immediately after his extremely short tenure in B9 began, gave young winger, Romelle Donovan plenty of attention, as well as his only appearances for Blues after being with the academy since the age of six.

Yet, under the management of Chris Davies, the likes of Donovan and other academy players weren't, or are not appearing to be given much of a chance in the first-team picture.

And, with the 19-year-old now linking up with Championship rivals, Sheffield United, on loan from Brentford, Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore, believes Birmingham could potentially regret their decision to sell him last summer.

Birmingham City 'regret' claim issued as Romelle Donovan joins Sheffield United on loan

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As previously stated, all 10 of Donovan's competitive appearances for Blues came under Rooney, when he also signed professional terms on his 17th birthday in November 2023.

However, following Blues' relegation to League One, the winger joined Burton Albion on loan, but scored just once in nine matches, and after initially linking up with the Bees' 'B team' last January, was signed by the West London outfit for a reported £3m.

Brentford boss, Keith Andrews, then stated how he sees Donovan's career path going in the future, with the England youth international making nine first-team appearances for the Premier League side thus far.

However, the Irishman has opted for the former Blues man to link up with his former Blades colleague, Chris Wilder for the season, and Moore has claimed that Donovan's personality could play a key role in whether the loan is successful or not.

"I personally do (regret selling Donovan), as I think there's a 'player' there for Blues," he told FLW.

"There were always mentions of his attitude, which I get wasn't there at his age, and Blues were going through a period of trying to change the culture, which was always poor at the club for about 10 years beforehand.

"I have a bit of a regret because there is a serious player there," Moore added. "You could see it when he plays. But, if his attitude isn't there, you have to trust the club in what they do.

"It's not like we let him go for massive money. But, we let him go to Brentford, who seem to know what they're doing transfer-wise.

"If you let a player go to Brentford or Brighton, it's a 'green flag' for me," he stated.

"I do think there could be a really good Premier League player there, and I'll be interested to see how he does at Sheffield United, because if there is a question mark over his attitude, I can't see Chris Wilder being a manager that accepts that, and he won't play.

"A bit of a regret, but if there's question marks over his attitude, it's not worth holding on to. A bit of both."

Romelle Donovan could haunt Birmingham City immediately in his Sheffield United career

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Football, of course, has a great way of throwing up storylines, and while this is a scenario Blues will hope to avoid, Donovan could immediately have the chance to remind Davies that it could have been worth retaining his services in the Second City.

That's due to the fact the first game of the season sees the Blades host Blues in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday, August 15th, while Wilder will hope the Bees man can be a strong replacement for the recently-departed Andre Brooks.