January is less than a month away now, and for Birmingham City, a new problem position has emerged.
Birmingham City have dropped right off the pace since Wayne Rooney‘s arrival as head coach.
He’s taken just five points from a possible 24 and it seems like Rooney is starting to lose his patience with some of the players, with the Blues boss not holding back in his recent criticisms.
Rooney is also hoping for some comings and goings in the next few weeks too, and one position that looks like it’s in desperate need of bolstering is right-back.
Birmingham City have recently seen Ethan Laird pick up a new injury, and with his replacement Cody Drameh no stranger to the treatment room, the right-back position could be one that is bolstered in January.
With that in mind, here are three right-backs that Birmingham City could target in January…
Ben Johnson
The impressive West Ham graduate was wanted by Southampton in the summer, with the Saints making contact over a deal, but for the move eventually falling through.
Ben Johnson, 23, remains at West Ham where he’s yet to feature in the Premier League this season, making just a couple of appearances in the EFL Cup and Europa League.
With his contract out next summer, it looks like January could be an interesting month where the right-back is concerned, with clubs like Birmingham City bound to be paying attention to his situation.
Conor Bradley
Like Johnson, Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley is on the periphery of the first-team this season, having only made just the one appearance in Europe so far.
It comes after an impressive 2022/23 season spent on loan with Bolton Wanderers in League One with the 20-year-old scoring five and assisting four in 43 league appearances.
He’s a very dynamic right-back who loves to get forward and who proved his worth in the Football League last season. So with game-time hard to come by right now, another loan move could be in the offing in January.
Kane Wilson
Derby County signed right-back Kane Wilson from Bristol City in the summer, and he’s since earned high praise for his energetic performances in League One.
Although he never played under Rooney at Derby County, the Birmingham City boss could still look towards his old club and his connections there for some January signings, and Wilson would certainly fit the bill.
He’s a right-back who compliments attacking football and he could be an ideal, longer-term replacement for the likes of Drameh, who’s set to see his Blues loan deal expire in the summer.