Blues Transfer Round-Up
By Aydan Anderson
February 1 2005
Its been a busy few weeks in the transfer market for blues manager Steve Bruce having signed a total of seven players during the January transfer window. BlueNosesOnline takes a look at the new recruits...
Player: Njazi Kuqi
Signed From: FC Lahti
Fee: £400,000
Description: Young Striker
Kuqi was signed before the transfer window began and made a move to blues on January 1st. Kuqi is a Finland Under-21 international and is the brother of Ipswich striker Shefki Kuqi. The youngster has made four reserve team starts during January scoring four goals including a hatrick in the Birmingham Seniors Cup. Kuqi was also an unused substitute in the FA Cup fourth round defeat to Chelsea.
Verdict: A young striker with obvious potential. Will probably not feature this season as Bruce will be looking for him to adapt to the English game. For £400,000 it is a good deal and Kuqi could push for the first team next season if all go's well.
Player: Salif Diou
Signed From: Liverpool
Fee: Loan Deal
Description: Defensive Midfielder
Salif Diou arrived from Liverpool just before the home tie against Fulham in which he made his debut. A Senegal international who is strong in the tackle. Plays the simple ball and looks a decent midfielder to fill in for Savage until the end of the season.
Verdict: A stop-gap signing until the end of the season. Will feature in the center of blues midfield but probably wont be offered a permanent deal.
Player: Jermaine Pennant
Signed From: Arsenal
Fee: Loan Deal
Description: Young Pacey Winger
Pennant was one of the hottest prospects in English football a few years ago but seems to have lost his way at Arsenal and has been involved in a number of off the pitch incidents. Is an exciting player with bags of pace and skill who will be a more attacking threat on the right wing. If he isn't jailed for crashing Ledley King's car and he can get his head down and work, Pennant could be just the player blues need.
Verdict: A great signing as long as Pennant can get his head down and work. Could be the player blues have been missing for so long on the right wing. The move could be made permanent should Pennant impress.
Player: Robbie Blake
Signed From: Burnley
Fee: £1,500,000
Description: Skillfull Attacker
Blake was Brucey's biggest signing of the transfer window and made his first start for blues in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea. Has a good goalscoring record throughout his career and could play on one of the wings should blues need an attacking threat out wide. Had some good touches against Chelsea and could be an effective player coming off the bench.
Verdict: Could be an effective player coming off the bench but its hard to see how Blake will force Heskey, Morrison or Pandiani out of the starting eleven. May have to settle for a wide left role.
Player: Alex Bruce
Signed From: Blackburn Rovers
Fee: Free. 25% Sell on clause to Blackburn
Description: Young Defender
Steve Bruce bought his son, Alex, to St Andrews shortly after Robbie Savage moved in the opposite direction. Bruce has been on at Oldham all season and has been in impressive form for the Latics playing at full back. Bruce is tipped as a hot prospect for the future and it is believed he could be as good a player as his dad once was. Will remain on loan at Oldham until March.
Verdict: A good deal for blues. A young player with lots of potential and no fee involved. If it doesn't work nobody loses out. But if it does Blues have found a great player.
Player: Mehdi Nafti
Signed From: Racing Santander
Fee: Loan Deal
Description: Defensive Midfielder
Tunisian midfielder Mehdi Nafti is an aggressive, defensive minded midfielder who could be the perfect replacement for the blonde one. Has seven yellow cards and one red to his name so far this season so is certainly not afraid of a tackle. Nafti also represented his country when Tunisia won the African Nations Cup in 2004.
Verdict: Another win/win situation for blues. Its a loan deal so if it doesn't work out blues can send him back. But with such an aggressive nature Nafti could be the suprise signing of the season. If he can get stuck in he could become a fan favourite and maybe seal a permanent deal.
Player: Walter Pandiani
Signed From: Deportive La Coruna
Fee: Loan Deal
Description: Powerful Striker
Pandiani was the suprise signing at the last minute of the transfer window. The Uraguayan international striker is a proven goalscorer having scored goals in La Liga and the Champions League. Pandiani completed a move to Birmingham after a big money move to Fiorentina fell through. Nicknamed 'the rifle' Pandiani is a powerful striker who is good in the air and possesses a cracking shot.
Verdict: A proven goalscorer who, if he can quickly adapt to the English game, could become a massive player for the blues. Could be similar to the Dugarry move a few years ago and reignite blues season. A future blues legend?