How Birmingham City beat Derby County to sign Patrick Roberts from Sunderland as ‘key’ factor emerges

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Birmingham City have employed an unseen upper hand to attract Patrick Roberts to the Blues on loan from Sunderland.

Following their record-breaking promotion from League One, Birmingham City have enjoyed one of the most impressive summer windows ever seen in the second tier.

Earlier in the summer, the Blues recruited the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Tommy Doyle and brought Demarai Gray back to St Andrew’s.

On deadline day, Birmingham signed Jack Robinson from Sheffield United in a shock swoop for the veteran central defender.

Additionally, the Blues signed Patrick Roberts on loan from Sunderland following the Black Cats’ top flight promotion, and the “key” factor in bringing the dynamic winger in has come to light.

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Chris Davies was ‘key’ to Birmingham City signing Patrick Roberts

After reports emerged that Birmingham eyed a move for Roberts, the Blues announced the loan signing of the 28-year-old on deadline day.

Only days prior, reports emerged that Derby County wanted to sign Roberts permanently from Sunderland and were willing to offer the winger a three-year contract to return to Pride Park after his loan from Manchester City in the second half of the 2020/21 season.

However, Roberts chose to sign for the Blues on a season-long loan deal, and Birmingham boss Chris Davies has proven to be the pivotal factor in his decision.

James Copley of the Sunderland Echo reports that: “Patrick Roberts’ loan move to Birmingham City was shaped by several key factors.

“Roberts had opportunities to leave Wearside earlier this summer, with two La Liga clubs exploring possible moves.

“However, the 28-year-old initially rejected those approaches, determined to fight for his place. But in recent weeks, Roberts was informed that his game time would be limited.

“The winger ultimately decided that a move was the best way to secure regular first-team football.

“Birmingham City was always Roberts’ first choice – and the key to the deal was Chris Davies, who took charge at St Andrew’s earlier this year.

“Roberts and Davies worked together during their time at Celtic, where Davies was assistant to Brendan Rodgers, and sources indicate that this existing connection played a pivotal role in the player’s decision.”

Roberts featured 79 times across three years at Scottish giants Celtic, particularly impressing during their outstanding 106-point SPL title win in the 2016/17 season with nine goals and 10 assists in 32 league outings on loan from Man City.

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How Chris Davies convinced Patrick Roberts to join Birmingham City on loan

The tricky winger was hailed as the ‘Mini Messi’ by Sunderland supporters for his dazzling close dribbling ability, which is eerily similar to the Argentine’s.

He has already endeared himself to the St Andrews faithful after Roberts told Birmingham he’s “a winner”, and now the Sunderland loanee has revealed that it only took “one phone call” from his former Celtic coach Davies to convince him to join the Blues.

Roberts told Birmingham’s media: “I know the manager, I worked with him when I was younger, so really, one phone call from him was all I needed.

“I was only young when I was at Celtic, him and Brendan Rodgers both helped me and you could see from there how he would take to being a manager.

“I spoke to some of the boys here, they said he’s very good and he’s come a long way, and he’s a top coach. I didn’t take much convincing.”

With two goals and eight assists in 48 outings last term for Sunderland, Roberts was instrumental to the Black Cats’ promotion, and Birmingham boss Davies will be hoping for more of the same this season.