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Mbende Moves On
Birmingham City confirmed yesterday that Emmanuel Mbende has decided to move back to Germany to continue his studies, signing for Chemnitzer FC of the 3.Liga. Should Mbende be sold on, Blues are in line for a cut of any transfer profit as part of the deal.
I will admit to being a bit saddened by this news. I’ve seen Mbende play a few times for the u21s and while it was evident he was a raw defender, he did show that he had ability on the ball and there was definitely evidence there that he could make it to the first team.
I think it’s probable had he stayed he might have spent the first six months of this season on loan at some League One or League Two outfit to get match time under his belt – one thing Mbende did need was proper exposure to how physical the first team can be; but with that kind of improvement I think he’d have made it sooner or later.
With the Cameroonian-born German having moved on Blues are now even lighter in the defensive ranks and in my eyes it could put more pressure on Gary Rowett to bring in defensive players.
Like with anything in football, one player moving on can open a door for another. Wes Harding started last season by going out to Marbella with the first team squad for pre-season training, impressing with his ability and commitment. Although the signing of Mbende to the u21s overshadowed Harding’s development, I think the 19-year-old centre-back probably now has even more opportunity to push on to get a fringe spot in the squad.
Likewise, 17-year-old Josh Martin had been picking up games in the u21s last season despite his tender years and if he can progress at the same rate it’s possible he too could find himself with a first team number again – but this time on merit more than as an aid to getting him to sign a pro deal with the club.
Two other academy players have moved on: Jack Challis has been signed by Bristol City while Khalleem Bailey-Nichols has been picked up by Wrexham.
News from Denmark indicates Nicolai Brock-Madsen may be going to Rio with the Danish Olympic Squad. The Birmingham Mail report that while Brock is not guaranteed a place he’s been picked because it’s believed Blues will release him to play in the tournament.
63 Responses to “Mbende Moves On”
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Sad to see mbende leave but I think the riches of the premier league mean young players may be sacrificed for experience can’t see many youngsters getting many opportunities in starting line up next season but some will probably be around the first team squad kro
We don’t have money for half decent experienced players so youngsters are our only option of having a good defence
Harding has been playing full back a lot this season and has clearly impressed the coaches with his performances, so that’s another utility kind of player at Rowett’s disposal… and we all know how much he likes a utility player. :) As for Josh Martin, yes, he may have been given a squad number “as an aid to getting him to sign a pro deal with the club,” but it worked. He’s still at the club.
Like peter, I’d be very surprised if many youngsters get a chance next season.
Name is Nicolai Brock-Madsen waste time £500,000 he haven’t play for 1st team age ago Should sell him player???? I needing new player Centre half back and Strike, Hope so bring back Robert Tesche from Nottingham FC…..
I can’t help but think this poster looks small and green and lives in a swamp
No evidence at all to suggest Mbende would make it to the first team. If he was that good he would back himself rather than decide to become a student. Harding is a better bet and Martin has time on his side and will be a top defender. Yes I can’t see Rowett giving youngsters like Gray, Viv, Adams, Broc, Harding, Brown a chance
If they don’t get a chance it will mean that Rowett as signed 4/5 good players to challenge for first team places which is not all bad news though I think one or two of those youngsters might see more first team football next season . KRO
Viv S-O and Adams should get their chance, but I’m not sure Brown or Arthur will see much action. It could be a make or break season for those two.
Those were the two I was thinking of staffs :-) KRO
Staffs…..Reece Brown hasn’t as yet signed his contract, which is a worry, to me at least.
Not really surprised tbh Richard. The lad doesn’t do things the easy way does he? :)
Its a shame Emmanuel Mbende as decided to live he could have been a good player,But If he don’t want to be here we don’t want him. All the best to him . I would like to see Wes Harding given a chance. I don’t like that meaningless term Raw as it seems to be over used when it comes to giving young talent a chance. Its just a way of saying they are not ready Well they will never be ready if never given the chance. There is no resin why we can’t see young players like Harding, Adams, Brown, Trueman, given a chance even if it is in the Cup matches. (Adams, in my opinion is ready now.)
Apart from the fact most of them are not good enough?
Have you ever seen them play? Really?
OF Corse I have seen Harding, Adams, Brown, Trueman play I imagine most supporters have seen Adams, & Brown play and they are good enough to be given a chance. its just my opinion but one that is shared by lots of supporters. You have a different opinion but it don’t make you right. There is no right or wrong just a difference of opinion.
It might be your opinion, but you are wrong – because they ain’t in the team ;)
You can’t say Somme is wrong just because you disagree no one here knows if and when any of them will be in the team but I expect to see Adams, in and arrowed the first team. And other youngsters could be given their chance in the Cup matches or as a late sub. It all comes down to the mental and physical ability witch you get that from Playing. If you have that you can achieve anything.
KRO
Maybe the coaching staff know? Maybe the reason they’re not in the first team is because the coaching staff don’t think they’re good enough?
Or are you saying you know more about youth football than people like Richard Beale?
I don’t think anything I have said suggests I know more than the coaching staff I even stated that no one here knows if and when any of them will be in the team. All I am going by Is the fact that GR as said himself he wants to utilise the young players more and the players I munched are defiantly the most likely ones.
In response to your other comment… your comments are on permanent moderation hold – due to a few reasons, but ultimately my discretion… and I’m not on here to approve them that often.
You might not like that – however, I don’t care. You annoy the management, this is what happens.
Dan when do you consider Hales might be ready?.
Quite simple. If they are good enough they are old enough, particularly in relation to our very average squad.
with the converse statement that as they’re not playing they’re not good enough…
Mbende has all the physical attributes a good central defender needs, but technically poor particularly his heading ability, which is crucial in the Championship.
Going to a third tier German club is probably his level at the moment.
I have seen Jack Challis play and despite early promise he has not developed as was hoped, either physically or technically.
I wish them both, together with Bailey-Nichols, good luck with their new clubs.
I am sorry to see Mbende go but have my doubts as to whether he would have made it into the 1st Team, certainly as a centre-half. His lack of heading ability was clear, being reported by many. I think he is like a lot of tall players who have never had to LEARN to jump properly (Ziggy a perfect example) because they have always been inches taller than other players during school and youth football.
I think it is time the youngsters were sent on short term loans to keep their interest in the game at a good level , as they are at a crossroads age …where the things their mates are doing are a distraction ….
Makes me laugh that he’s gone back to Germany to continue his studies, it’s just a shame that no one in this country has ever come up with the idea of education, you know schools, colleges, universities!!!. Of all the stupid excuses that one’s almost on a par with Robbie Savage moving to Blackburn to be nearer Wales.!.
He’s probably asked Rowett/Beale some pertinent questions about which direction his career path might be going,in which case going back to his studies could be the most sensible option.Brock-Madsen could take a leaf out of his book and do a plumbing or carpentry coarse at the tech as a back up.
I think his time would be better spent learning where the goals are situated on a football pitch. Send Vaughan along with him… on a two-for-the-price-of-one deal. :)
I actually think Vaughan would be better off dropping back into midfield, a bit like Rooney has for man utd, now i’m not for one minute compairing the two, but Vaughan is not afraid to get stuck in & he’s able to pick out a pass as well, unlike most of our present midfielders
I can think of two good reasons why he would wish to continue his studies in Germany. Presumably his first language is German – always easier to study in ones first language. Secondly, he is probably reading the “leave the E U and pull up the drawbridge” mood that seems to be at large amongst a lot of Brits at the moment – would he be welcome/allowed to further his studies in this country ?
Just a forewarning (not aimed at you Micko), no politics here please.
I probably don’t have the right to judge based on seeing him play once but on the basis of that one performance, he is no loss. Also on the basis of that one performance, Maxwell will be playing in the first team next season.
Bookies have us just above Burton and Rotherham.says it all really. Outside Brum GR not quite the Messiah.
Doesn’t that depend on which way your looking at it Mitchell?
Isn’t it a reflection of his squad and his limited funds to buy better players than the manager?.The bookies had us 4th favourites to go down last season and we finished in the top 10.That makes him an excellent manager doesn’t it?.
Its going to be a difficult task even for the playoffs next season the three clubs relegated from the premier will be the preferred choice of many players who are available then you have the teams who missed out in the playoffs I’m sure gr has his targets but in all transfers getting them over the line can be difficult especially with minimal funds to spend wages will be a big problem especially coupled with transfer fees so imo players out of contract will probably be the way to go and our younger players will only be an option to be around the first team squad would like to be proved wrong but I think its the way it will be kro
Tesche just been released by Forest….
Was released yesterday mate . KRO
I think GR is going to have to prove the bookies wrong by signing 4 quality players good enough to make a difference in the promotion race, KRO
Just 4??????
I think we need more too, but, 4 players of the right quality and in the right positions could make a difference. It’s going to be difficult, but Rowett is paid to come up with the answers. It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
I think the smartest bit of business Blues could do this summer would be to land both Robert Tesche and Ben Turner on frees. Both are available, have an affinity with the Blues, probably would be affordable wage wise, and would definately strengthen the squad. Turtner’s a bit of a risk because of his injury problems of late, but surely worth a gamble on a free? Certainly better than anything else we’ve got at centre-Back with the possible exception of Morrison.
I agree a fit and ready Turner would be a perfect partner for Morison at the back. It would be like having Matthew Upson and Kenny Cunningham back . With I fort was one of the best partnerships we ever had. KRO
Without defensive recruits we will struggle next year. Forget playoffs. I can’t rate Gary rowett if he fails with this task, I just hope it’s his main focus and not strikers like all media is reporting because if that’s true he is not the manager I thought he was.
Mbende was supposed to be a good prospect now we’re left with next to nothing
There’s no point worrying at the moment, there’s a way to go yet. We need (at least) a left back, centre back, playmaker, left winger, striker. There’s still 10 weeks in which to find them.
can have as long as they want looking for players but it doesn’t change anything, we wont get the ones we want or more importantly need because of other clubs gazumping us or the players themselves snubbing us.
But we’re going to get gazumped and players are going to go to other clubs because Blues simply cannot compete financially.Why is that the fault of our manager??!
I can understand fans frustrations but it’s where we are at the moment.The bookies seem to agree.
I don’t think we’ll be in any danger of the bottom 3 next season, but our recruitment could be the difference between top 10 and also rans. But, we’ve been living off scraps for the last 4 years, I doubt much will change anytime soon. Either way, I still believe bringing in the right players doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
No it doesn’t.But you are at a massive disadvantage if your competitors can offer players better contracts.You are then reliant on a certain amount of luck but it can’t be as simple as some fans think it is.Lee Clark probably did as good as you could do on a shoestring a few seasons back.
No doubt the previous management recruited well. 7 or 8 of those players have played the majority of games over the last 2 seasons. Although they’ve done well, we need an upgrade on some of those players now.
If we sign central defender Ryan Shotton, left back Jake Bidwell, centre midfielder Robert Tesche and striker Tom Bradshaw I would be more than happy for a start.
I’d take that now Richard.
We should go and get tesche now if gr drags his feet he will get snapped up and that will tell you rowett ain’t got his eye on the ball
Stop bashing GR he has done an outstanding job with limited funds. The squad isnt good enough we know that and im sure he is certain of that himself. Who could come in at the moment and do a better job than him other than maybe Neil warnock. Ok a couple of his signings haven’t worked out but I believe he has steadied the ship and is laying foundations. Jeez the guy took over from LC it’s a miracle we have even been anywhere near the top ten! I think we need to accept that until we have some clarity with the ownership we can only dream of better things. Instead we are shopping for free transfers contract rebels, veterans and untried youth or lower division players. Basically we need a miracle on the proportions of Leicester City to get out this division with the financial structure the blues have in place. I truly hope this changes soon and GR does get the funds to mount a serious assault on promotion and restore the good times for what is a huge club with massive fan base. just need to be realistic at the moment though. Tenth place is about as good as we should expect. Shotton tesche Bradshaw would be good but probably still not enough.
Couldn’t agree more.Well said.
I think GR needs to get a good player in first to make others want to come , as the bookies odds have done blues no favours to attract players ,….KRO
We proved the bookies wrong last season. Hopefully, we can do the same again this season.
Tesche is on a free !
Well it’s all doom & gloom with the bookies odds on us next season, they’re always right aren’t they? I mean they got Leicester spot on to win the prem at 5000/1. What were the odds on us beating the Arse at wembley?, 7/1 I think. If Sheff Wed win on Sunday they will have had back to back promotions, what were the odds on that?. There’s no way anyone can tell what’s gonna happen in a season much less the bookies, it’s just their interpretation of what THEY think will happen
I think Wednesday have been back in the Championship for a few years now Chris and spent some cash in the process!! Not to much of a shock! I agree that the bookies arent always right however!! Lets hope we can beat the odds again and mount a challenge!!
Yep you’re right, dunno where I got that from!!, maybe because they’ve been so insignificant since they came up from league one, til now of course!!!
To be honest depending on who GR signs I am quietly confident that after two tenth place finishes we could finish higher , I know we haven’t got toral but his stats can be equalled without the stardust as long as GR comes up trumps,
As I said earlier, the right players in the important positions and we could be in for another decent season. I think the play-offs will be out of reach, but top half shouldn’t be beyond us… don’t forget, we’ll still have the majority of last season’s team and they went pretty close.
We have to trust the manager to bring in players who will make that difference.