Kevin Phillips has urged Birmingham City to hold onto star striker Jay Stansfield, insisting the forward is now worth £25 million after another prolific season. The Blues' talisman has attracted interest from Premier League clubs following his impressive performances.
Stansfield's Impact at Birmingham
Stansfield, 23, registered 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season, building on a 23-goal haul in League One and 13 in his first campaign at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park. He joined Blues permanently in a record-breaking deal two years ago and still has five years remaining on his contract.
Phillips' Verdict
Phillips, who top-scored when Blues last won promotion to the Premier League in 2009, believes Stansfield should stay to repeat that feat. "I think first and foremost, if he was to leave Birmingham, it'd be a huge blow," Phillips told Best Betting Sites. "He's been their talisman for a few years now. Forty-four games last year, he got himself 10 goals and seven assists. So yes, he needs to improve on his goal return, but the Championship's a lot tougher than League One and the Premier League's even tougher."
"I would certainly not want to see him leave the football club. £25 million is about the right price for someone that performs, gets goals, gets assists, and is doing it in the Championship."
Premier League Interest
Phillips questioned whether Stansfield would improve potential suitors like Hull or Ipswich. "Would he improve Hull or Ipswich? I think it'd be very, very difficult because both those teams are going to be in a relegation battle, and his chances are going to be very, very limited. I could understand why they would be linked with a player like that, because you have to score goals to stay in the Premier League, it's as simple as that."
"But I don't want to see him go; no Birmingham fan wants to see him leave the football club. And to be honest, with the way Birmingham are going, I don't see them cashing in on one of their top players."
