The young defender must take a stand before the January transfer window…
Managers often prefer to recruit within their comfort zones, and that’s precisely what Wayne Rooney is considering as he starts his tenure at Birmingham City. It has been a bustling period at St. Andrews, with the club parting ways with their highly-regarded manager, John Eustace, amidst a significant upswing in both on and off-field fortunes, which has seen them challenge for a playoff spot. This has unsurprisingly stirred mixed emotions among Birmingham City fans.
Few managers have managed to rejuvenate the club and instill a sense of optimism in the Second City in recent years, but Eustace achieved that and has set high standards as a result. Rooney now faces the challenge of living up to those standards, and his success will likely be constantly compared to that of his predecessor.
However, he’s already taking steps to avoid this by considering a move for four players from his former club, Derby County.
Wayne Rooney is eyeing a reunion with four Derby County players at Birmingham City, as reported by TEAMtalk. These players, Liam Thompson, Louie Sibley, Max Bird, and Eiran Cashin, all thrived under Rooney’s guidance when Derby County was relegated from the Championship in the 2021/22 season amid financial difficulties.
The financial constraints and the downsizing of Derby’s squad provided an opportunity for young prospects to shine, and these four players certainly seized that opportunity. While they have had varying levels of success since then, they are all still at Derby, now playing in League One.
The standout among them is Eiran Cashin, who is considered one of the most promising young defenders in the Football League. It’s not surprising that there is significant interest in him. While it may be challenging for him to leave the club that gave him his break in the game, he should also consider reuniting with the manager who played a crucial role in his development.
Why should Eiran Cashin consider rejoining Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City?
Simply put, Cashin is a standout performer in the third tier of English football. He is a dominant central defender who relishes challenges, possesses excellent game-reading abilities, shows leadership qualities, excels in duels at both ends of the pitch, and is adept at playing the ball out and progressing upfield. At the age of 21, he has room for further improvement.
Rooney is well aware of Cashin’s abilities, having worked closely with him. It would be in Cashin’s best interest to explore the possibility of a January move to Birmingham, as he has outgrown Derby and the level at which they currently play. If there’s an opportunity to move up the football pyramid and advance his career, there’s no compelling reason for him to decline it.
Of course, much will depend on Derby’s chances of promotion and their performance in early 2024, but it’s challenging to see them emerging as clear favorites anytime soon.
Cashin could seamlessly establish himself as a key figure in the Birmingham City team, as he proved two years ago when he was thrust into the first team without looking out of place. He represents a more sustainable option than the 33-year-old Kevin Long, who, although dependable, lacks the same quality and potential for growth.
These factors should tempt Cashin, as Birmingham also has aspirations of returning to the Premier League under new ownership, a goal that likely aligns with his own ambitions. If the right price is offered, it appears to be a sensible decision for both Birmingham and Cashin.
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