“I would hope” - Darren Anderton delivers Birmingham City view after £20m budget reveal | OneFootball

Darren Anderton believes that Birmingham City will need a big squad to compete in League One amid talk of Chris Davies receiving a £20m budget.

Highlights

Former Birmingham City midfielder Darren Anderton is encouraged by talk that Blues could give Chris Davies a £20m budget, as he stressed the importance of having a big squad for League One.

It’s been a chaotic year or so for Blues, with the fans finally getting the ownership change they wanted as Tom Wagner and his American group completed a buy-out of the club.

However, despite their grand plans, Birmingham were relegated from the Championship, with a series of mistakes by the board contributing to that.

Chris Davies to be given funds to lead new Birmingham City era

Nevertheless, there’s still a positive outlook at St. Andrew’s in the direction the club are heading, with plans in place for a new stadium in the years to come.

The immediate priority is winning promotion back to the Championship though, and it has been claimed that Davies will be given some serious funds to do just that.

That’s after Sun journalist Alan Nixon stated that they are preparing to allow the new boss £20m to put towards new signings, which will cover the wages and transfer fees.

Obviously, that would be a substantial sum by League One standards, and it would reinforce the idea that Blues must win promotion next season.

Darren Anderton reacts to Birmingham City budget claim

Of course, the idea of reshaping the squad is one that would please and excite fans, but some will be mindful of PSR rules, as it’s increasingly important that clubs don’t overspend.

Yet, speaking exclusively to Football League World, Anderton explained that he would trust the owners on that front, as he outlined the need to have a squad that can compete in what is a demanding 46-game slog in the third tier.

“I would hope the Ownership group have monitored the FFP angle, but if they are able to spend money, then it will help Birmingham to get back into the Championship, having quality players at their disposal, and also a good squad which is needed when you play three games a week at times during the season.”

Birmingham City’s summer transfer plans

We know that money doesn’t guarantee success, but all the noise coming out of St. Andrew’s is that the club will back Davies this summer, and that will excite all connected to the club.

Dropping to League One was certainly not what the new owners wanted, as they are hoping to build a club that is competing regularly in the Premier League, but they’re here now, and they must not get complacent, instead recognising what needs to be done.

On the pitch, there are several areas that need strengthening, and most would agree that a new striker has to be a priority, as scoring goals has been a major problem for some time.

Birmingham over the coming weeks.