Emile Heskey sends message of caution to Birmingham City owners | OneFootball

Former Birmingham City striker Emile Heskey has commented on their lofty ambitions

Former Birmingham City striker Emile Heskey has weighed in on the club’s new stadium plans.

Blues have enjoyed a positive trajectory since Knighthead Capital Management bought into the club in 2023, securing promotion from League One in record-breaking fashion last term whilst remaining extremely ambitious in the transfer market.

Players such as Kyogo Furuhashi, Demarai Gray and Jay Stansfield have all moved to St. Andrew’s in high-profile moves over the past few years, further increasing the level of competitiveness in the Second City side’s squad.

Another way Blues’ new owners have looked to increase the club’s profile is by building a new 62,000 stadium, which will be encompassed in the Sports Quarter project that will also feature an indoor arena, a 19-pitch training complex, as well as further local commercial and retail opportunities.

Birmingham recently revealed a detailed model of what their new ground will look like and the ambitious plans that come with it, which evoked a multitude of reactions throughout the footballing community.

Emile Heskey tells Birmingham City to “take your time”

Birmingham’s owner, Tom Wagner, has repeatedly spoken about the club’s Premier League ambitions and how he hopes that they can realise that goal in the near future.

Whilst this is likely to excite supporters, some former players who once operated out of St. Andrew’s hold a slightly different opinion.

Heskey played 78 times for Blues between 2004 and 2006, scoring 16 times alongside providing a single assist. He was named their Player of the Year for the 2004/05 campaign and has now offered a piece of advice for the club amid the grand unveiling of their stadium plans and top-flight hopes.

When commenting on Birmingham City’s ambitions to become a Premier League club in the near future via National World, the former striker stated:

“Everyone wants that, but I think realistically you’ve got to take your time and develop as a squad, and develop as a club.

“You don’t want to be going up and not be ready for it. I think that’s one of the main things.

“The owners that Birmingham have who are putting in money to develop a new stadium, as well as developing the stadium for the women’s team, I think it’s fantastic.”

Emile Heskey’s advice should be taken on board by Birmingham City

Although ambition is what every supporter wants to see their club striving towards, Birmingham mustn’t run before they can walk in this situation.

Wagner and Co. have proven across the past few transfer windows that they plan on backing the team handsomely, alongside improving off-field infrastructure such as the new stadium.

However, if Birmingham set unrealistic expectations, it could lead to disappointment if they can’t achieve them straight away. There are other ambitious clubs in the Championship who also have their sights on promotion and there is no guarantee that Blues will be able to beat them to that in the next few years.

Therefore, perhaps listening to Heskey’s advice and taking a bit more time to solidify their current status could be worthwhile, whilst proving to be equally beneficial in the long term.