Birmingham City expert is ‘sceptical’ about one signing, it’s left him feeling ‘uncomfortable’

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Birmingham City have completed some incredible business in this summer transfer window so far, but one signing has been questioned.

The Blues have sent a statement to the rest of their Championship rivals with nine new additions through the door at St Andrews.

Birmingham have pulled off some outstanding attacking signings, most notably a £10 million transfer for Kyogo Furuhashi and a fairytale return for winger Demarai Gray.

Chris Davies has also shored up his defence with centre-back Phil Neumann joining a free from Hannover 96 and right-back Alfons Samsted arriving from FC Twente.

But whilst there is a constant wave of positivity in the Midlands, there is one addition that has raised question marks ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

• READ MORE: Birmingham City fans will love what Demarai Gray said about rejoining the club, it’s the ‘perfect time’

Brian Dick is ‘uncomfortable’ with the signing of James Beadle

Birmingham announced the loan signing of James Beadle from Brighton on July 1, following a spell at Sheffield Wednesday last term.

Beadle was part of the England under-21 side that triumphed against Germany in the Euro final at the end of June, with the 20-year-old impressing throughout the tournament.

The Englishman was selected after playing 38 times for the Owls in the Championship last term, and although he showed glimpses of his talent, he was dropped for Pierce Charles in final eight games after making multiple errors.

As he’s still young and prone to mistakes, Birmingham expert Brian Dick has been left feeling ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘sceptical’ about his addition.

“I’m going to put my cards on the table. I’m uncomfortable with the James Beadle situation,” Dick said on the Keep Right On YouTube channel.

“I’m sceptical about this one, I really am and I hope to be proved wrong and I hope if he starts the season, which I think he will, I hope he plays 46 games and ends up with the Golden Glove and I’m left with egg on my face.

“But of all of these signings, it’s one that’s just a question mark for me. It’s one that sends the spidey senses tingling just a little bit.”

• READ MORE: Sheffield Wednesday fans have a lot to say after club’s latest announcement sees deal confirmed

How James Beadle compares to Ryan Allsop

Beadle will be competing against Ryan Allsop, Birmingham’s current number one, for a place in the starting lineup in 2025/26.

Allsop was outstanding for the Blues last term, only missing one of their final 39 matches after replacing Bailey Peacock-Farrell in October 2024.

Admittedly, the above statistics comparing the two players are skewed since the duo were competing in different divisions last term.

But, as Allsop was outstanding for Birmingham, supporters will arguably want him to keep his place, though with Beadle joining from a Premier League side on loan, he will be expected to start.

Either way, fans have every right to feel sceptical about the goalkeeper situation as Allsop has struggled in the Championship previously, while Beadle is inexperienced.