Patrick Roberts has been linked with a move away from Birmingham City after being an unused substitute for the seventh successive game. The winger, who was a star in his early Blues career with five goals and five assists last season, has become a marginalised figure under head coach Chris Davies, who has favoured Carlos Vicente – a £7million signing from Deportivo Alaves in January – as the first-choice right-winger.
Roberts' Fall from Grace
Roberts has not played a competitive minute for Blues since the 2-1 defeat to Ipswich at Easter. He was overlooked in Saturday's Championship opener at Sheffield United, with Davies turning to right-back Ethan Laird to shore things up for the final few minutes at Bramall Lane, just as he did in the closing stages at Swansea the week before.
Asked about that decision post-match, Davies told BBC WM: “At that stage of the game it was a case of trying to get a bit of strength and speed on. The craft of Patrick is really utilised against those low blocks when he can open things up on that left foot. It's just been a couple of times I've preferred Ethan in that role. Pat needs to continue and he will get his chance.”
Blackburn Rovers Interest
As if by magic, Roberts has now been linked with the exit door. According to transfer journalist Alan Nixon, Roberts is wanted by Blackburn Rovers. Ex-Blues boss Tony Mowbray is back in situ at Ewood Park and worked with Roberts at Sunderland.
Rovers haven’t splashed the cash this summer and might not be able to match the contract Blues handed Roberts when they signed him permanently in January. In any case, does the deal make sense for Blues given that Roberts would have to be replaced in the final two weeks of the window?
Davies' Dilemma and Potential Impact
“It will largely come down to Patrick Roberts,” Alex Dicken said on the Keep Right On Podcast. “Does he want to be a squad player or does he want to go somewhere he is going to play every single week? Life at Blackburn might be tougher than at Birmingham City this season, based on the squads and the players they’ve signed – or not signed in the case of Blackburn. If he wants to play more regular football, that would appear a better bet, obviously he knows Mowbray very well. For Blues, it doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
“You would just have to sign a replacement and that replacement would need to be as good or as proven as Patrick Roberts in this league. They would be creating a problem for themselves by letting him go. We’ve mentioned how desperately they need to sign a left-winger, they would have to sign two wingers in the next two weeks if they let Patrick Roberts go. There will be games for him as well. Vicente isn’t going to start 46 games. Bristol City will be the sort of game, a home game where Blues will have more of the ball, and they will need to pick passes and unlock a defence.”
