Birmingham City and Craig Bellamy won’t be shocked as Wolves, West Ham receive transfer blow | OneFootball

Jordan James is unlikely to return to the EFL anytime soon

In recent years, the EFL has become a strong hotbed for talent, and this has certainly been well-proven on the Premier League and international stage.

Indeed, throughout the recently-ended FIFA World Cup 2026, there were plenty of EFL representatives featuring for their respective nations, whilst 20 of Thomas Tuchel's England squad, which ended up third-placed in the tournament, saw their prior development enhanced by spells in the Championship, League One and League Two.

It has also been showcased that even if certain clubs are struggling to find form at a period of any given season, or for a sustained period of time, this doesn't always have a negative impact on the short and long-term performance levels and development of specific players.

Indeed, it is hard to argue that not one player has backed up such a statement in recent Championship seasons than Welsh international and box-to-box midfielder, Jordan James.

Despite being just 22 years of age heading into the new campaign, the Hereford-born ace has become a household name in the second tier within the past five years, having initially starred for Birmingham City after being handed his first-team breakthrough by John Eustace, before becoming a shining light for Leicester City under Marti Cifuentes and Gary Rowett despite the club's back-to-back relegations.

However, it is fair to say that those associated with the two Midlands outfits, as well as Wales boss, Craig Bellamy, will not be shocked by recent developments in the transfer market, which could give James an even greater platform to prove himself.

Jordan James will feel he deserves a shot at the Premier League after EFL Championship success

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As previously mentioned, James was handed his first-team breakthrough at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in the 2021/22 season, but it was the 2023/24 campaign in which he rose to prominence.

Despite starting the season in and out of the starting lineup, added to the fact Birmingham went on to be relegated in a season which saw six permanent or temporary managers take charge of the club, the Welshman netted eight times in 42 appearances, which led to a nomination for the Championship's Young Player of the Season award, which was instead won by Archie Gray of Leeds United.

With Blues relegated, James was then sold to Stade Rennais for £8m, which, at the time, was described by the aforementioned Bellamy as a "smart move", but it is fair to say that the French club haven't been able to see what the likes of Birmingham and Leicester have.

James was, ultimately, viewed as a marquee loan acquisition at the King Power Stadium last summer due to the Foxes' well-documented financial issues, and he was still able to keep performing to such a high standard amid major criticisms of his teammates throughout a dismal 12-month period.

After netting his first goal for the club against Wrexham last September, the midfield ace went on to hit double-figures with 11 goals and a further four assists in just 34 appearances, and in April, he was named Young Player of the Season for the division.

The 26-time international has since been linked with a plethora of clubs, including the likes of Atlanta and Villarreal in Serie A, but it has recently emerged that James is pushing for a first spell as a Premier League player, and that Fulham are readying a bid to win a transfer battle which has lasted throughout the entire summer window thus far.

The Cottagers are looking to add further depth and quality to their squad under Alvaro Arbeloa, who recently replaced Marco Silva in West London following his managerial switch to Benfica.

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It, of course, remains to be seen how James will fare in the top-flight if a move to Fulham is finalised over time, and both West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are likely to have a keen eye on such developments.

Both clubs are expected to immediately challenge for promotion from the Championship after suffering relegation, although there still appears to be more stability at the London Stadium than Molineux at present, despite a change in the Hammers' ownership structure.

A move for James would have only added to those beliefs, especially when taking into consideration the numbers he was able to record in two clubs struggling for form, rather than sitting in the promotion picture.