Claim made on Birmingham City star who splits opinion - 'I think people are a little bit harsh on him' | OneFootball

FLW's Blues Fan Pundit believes Lewis Koumas could develop into a "proper" player.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas' recent performances for Birmingham City have sparked fierce debate among Bluenoses online.

It’s fair to say the 19-year-old Welsh international arrived at St. Andrew's with lots of expectation after Blues beat off competition from nearly a third of the entire Championship to sign him.

The Liverpool Echo reported that Norwich City, Sheffield United, Hull City, Preston North End, Oxford United and Wrexham also wanted his services for the season.

However, with no goal contributions in 12 appearances - four of which have been starts - patience appears to be wearing thin for a lot of Birmingham fans.

One man who thinks differently though, is FLW's Birmingham City Fan Pundit, Jason Moore, who believes Koumas "could end up in the Premier League."

When asked which Blues player divides opinion most among the fanbase, Moore claimed it is Koumas.

"I personally think, off the top of my head, Lewis Koumas is the one that splits opinion massively between the fanbase," Moore told FLW.

The youngster's seemingly inconsistent performances and failure to show any end product so far this season has indeed attracted some criticism from sections of Birmingham fans.

On social media, one fan thinks his wages should be spent on someone else, whereas another suggests there's zero threat on the right-hand side whenever the Welshman plays.

Additionally, another Bluenose notes he's "raw" but there's got to be "better options" elsewhere. Although after Koumas' first appearance for the West Midlands club, he was lauded as the "only positive" of the game.

Moore claims that whilst he understands the frustrations of others regarding the forward, they need to take his age into account, by continuing to say "I get the argument for people against him, saying he’s a bit lightweight and stuff like that - but I think people need to realise he’s 19.

"He’s just starting to play men's football, he’s had one season of men’s football. He’s still technically a teenager, like he’s still growing and all that stuff."

"Premier League" claim made on Lewis Koumas at Birmingham City

Despite acknowledging that Koumas' performances have not yet set the world alight, Moore remains convinced that the young winger has genuine quality.

"So, I think he's a good player, and I think there's a real player in there and he could develop into a proper, proper player.

"He could end up in the Premier League," Moore stated with clear conviction.

This optimism reflects the initial reasoning behind why Chris Davies signed Koumas in the first place, with the Blues boss telling BirminghamLive that the 19-year-old is "not a lad that sort of waits for things to happen."

Moore does then concede that Koumas must work to improve certain aspects of his game if he is to realise his potential.

"For me, Koumas does need to offer a little bit more, but I think he's doing okay for where we're at and what we're asking of him," Moore acknowledged.

"I think people are a little bit harsh on him - I get the argument, but I don’t agree, I’m in favour of Lewis Koumas," the Fan Pundit concluded.

For Stoke City last season, where the Liverpool academy prospect was on loan, he netted three league goals and two assists in 43 games. It's worth noting that 25 of these matches he started in.

Since losing to Preston, the last four games have seen Koumas limited to cameos off the bench, and the amount of minutes he's been getting in them has decreased each time (29',13',11',10').

Given that Patrick Roberts - who has three goal contributions in ten league appearance - has started every one of these on the right, you could argue that only an injury would keep him out of the starting lineup at this point.

Ultimately, the question facing Birmingham fans is whether they share Moore's faith in the teenager's potential or if they believe change is required in January to give Roberts more competition for a starting place.