Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has openly expressed his ambition to bring Jude Bellingham back to the club in the future, a sentiment now echoed by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, who has set a specific target for the star midfielder's return.
Steven Knight's Vision for Bellingham's Homecoming
Steven Knight, a key figure behind-the-scenes since Knighthead took control of Birmingham City in 2023, has publicly stated his desire to see Jude Bellingham return to the club by the time he turns 28. Knight, who was involved in the design of the new 62,000-seater stadium, The Powerhouse, believes this could be a pivotal moment for both the player and the team.
Bellingham's Legacy and Current Stature
Jude Bellingham, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday in June, departed Birmingham City six years ago in what remains the club's most lucrative sale ever. Since then, he has risen to become a standout performer for Real Madrid and the England national team, widely regarded as one of the top footballers globally. In a gesture of respect, Birmingham City retired his number 22 shirt upon his departure, fueling hopes for a future reunion.
Tom Wagner's Public Declaration
At the unveiling of The Powerhouse in November, chairman Tom Wagner made his intentions clear regarding Bellingham. Wagner praised the midfielder, calling him "the greatest player on the planet today" and emphasizing that his full potential has yet to be realized. He highlighted not only Bellingham's on-field abilities but also his potential impact on the community, framing a potential return as "a great coming home story" and "a great Birmingham story."
Knight's Role and Speculation
Steven Knight, aged 66, has served as a trusted advisor to Knighthead's decision-makers and contributed to The Powerhouse's design. Bellingham featured in the stadium's unveiling video, which Knight helped produce, adding to the narrative of a possible return. In an interview with The Telegraph, Knight expressed his hope, saying, "I want him to come back [to play for Birmingham] one day," and suggested age 28 as a target, while acknowledging the uncertainty of future developments.
Knight added, "Twenty-eight. I’m saying maybe 28 come back then. Why not? I don’t know. I mean, who knows? Who knows what he’s going to do, but if we became good, I think he would come back." This statement underscores the conditional nature of such a move, depending on Birmingham City's performance and Bellingham's career trajectory.
