Bristol City shouldn't be scared to repeat deadline day gamble despite clear disappointment: View | OneFootball

Dire Mebude's loan move turned out to be very underwhelming. Barely making an impact after signing on the January 2024 deadline day

Key Takeaways

Adedire Mebude's Bristol City loan move on January deadline day was a disappointment.

Mebude signed for the Robins on loan from Belgian outfit K.V.C Westerlo on February 1st for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.

The youngster got his move to Belgium from Premier League champions Manchester City for a reported fee of £1.65 million with a buy-back clause, despite showing promise in City's academy.

The Scottish youth international didn't quite make the impact that was expected of him when he signed for Liam Manning's Robins side.

He was dubbed a skillful winger who could provide competition for Bristol City's wingers in Anis Mehmeti, Sam Bell, and Mark Sykes but that's not how things panned out.

Mebude was a disappointment for the Robins

The winger made his first appearance at Ashton Gate in the form of five minutes off the bench in the Robins' 3-1 victory over promotion chasers Southampton.

This was to be one of only three appearances the 20-year-old had in his time at Ashton Gate, equaling exactly 44 minutes, barely scrapping a half of football. Ouch.

When he signed, the Man City pedigree and some eye-catching highlight reels suggested that this shot in the dark from the Robins could ensure excitement in the second half of the campaign.

But he didn't meet Manning's standards and barely got a look in. Not deemed good enough to challenge the likes of Sykes, Mehmeti and Bell for minutes on the flanks.

Manning "insisted" that Mebude was still a part of his plans despite barely featuring since his arrival as the season was drawing to a close.

Speaking to Bristol World, he said: "Possibly, anyone who is in the squad is in contention for minutes.

"We’ve got some training days now with three games left and it’s all on how you train, it’s about smashing doors down to get in the team.

"People are naturally in credit, Sykesy’s been terrific recently, so he has to match Sykesy’s level and if not, better it in training. He turns up, he works hard, now it’s about really pushing to take people’s shirts."

He may have pushed hard behind the scenes but he didn't do enough to convince Manning and it was no surprise when he headed back to Belgium without any talk of City looking to make the deal permanent.

To his credit, he has started the season well back at Westerlo in the Jupiler Pro League, helping his side compete near the top of the table, but it speaks volumes about his Ashton Gate struggles that he doubled his entire City minutes in his first game back in Belgium.

The Robins shouldn't be scared to risk high-potential, low-risk signings after Mebude

Mebude is still young and may yet prove to be a diamond but City's attempt to pluck him out from the rough failed.

Even so, the Robins should still take on these high-potential, low-risk players from Premier League academy graduates.

They appear ready to do so given the signing of George Earth. The playmaker joined on loan from West Ham United this summer after appearing in the Premier League for the Hammers three times, scoring versus Luton Town in May.

The Bs3 outfit have developed a reputation for helping young talent thrive but there are always going to be misses that go with the hits.

Mebude fell into the former category but the next roll of the dice could land on a six so City shouldn't be scared of having another go before the window slams shut.