Birmingham City’s signing of James Beadle has divided many, with there being uncertainties over his recent form.
At this early stage of the summer, building up to the 2025/26 Championship season, Birmingham City have been incredibly busy in the transfer window.
The Blues have already made seven signings, including the blockbuster arrival of Demarai Gray, who has returned to the club. Birmingham City are also set to sign Rennes ace Kyogo Furuhashi, a notable former player of Celtic.
Aside from the big permanent signings made, Birmingham have also been shrewd with their loan deals. They have signed in Tommy Doyle from Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as James Beadle from Brighton.
Beadle’s arrival has divided the fanbase, however, and has left two EFL experts unsure as to whether he is a top signing or not.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty ImagesEFL experts cannot work out whether James Beadle is a top signing
Birmingham City signed Beadle off the back of a Euro-winning campaign with England U21s, where he played a prominent role for Lee Carsley’s side in between the sticks.
However, some concern comes from his 2024/25 Championship season with Sheffield Wednesday, where the goalkeeper was often solid, but did occasionally commit errors that led to goals.
This has left fans uncertain as to whether he will take over from current Blues No.1 Ryan Allsop or not.
Speaking on the Second Tier Podcast, Justin Peach and Ryan Dilks struggled to agree on the signing of Beadle and whether it was a brilliant arrival or not.
Speaking first was Peach, who said: “He was very good for Sheffield Wednesday. I find it interesting that Birmingham have opted to loan a goalkeeper this season. Ryan Allsop was exceptional and he won last season.
“We know he’s okay in a championship, but not a standout. So maybe he’ll start the season as number one before Beadle maybe takes the reins.
Dilks went on to object to Peach’s thoughts on Beadle’s spell last season with the Owls.
“Well, he didn’t have a great season with Wednesday last year. He did drop a few clangers and was dropped towards the end of the season, but you’ve got to keep in mind his age.
“To be a goalkeeper in the championship at the age of 20 is rare. It’s even more rare to be a goalkeeper at the age of 20 and already have 80 EFL appearances under your belt.
“So, while he did have the odd mistake in him last season, we’re talking about someone here who, for me, is the most promising young goalkeeper in England right now.”
Birmingham City fans must be patient with James Beadle
The concerns with Beadle ultimately lie in the fact that he was replaced in the latter stages of the 2025/26 Championship season by Sheffield Wednesday No.2 Pierce Charles, the starting goalkeeper for Northern Ireland.
Fans will be hoping that Carsley’s trust in him as his starting England U21 goalkeeper would have instilled some of the confidence back into him, which should give him the platform to continue his improving form at Birmingham.
Whilst Beadle does have vast EFL experience, he is still young, so patience is key regarding the goalkeeper.
Beadle has occasionally made mistakes in his career, but ultimately, it is heavily outweighed by the quality he has shown overall. He may be testing at times, but fans should be confident that he is the player to help them towards success next season.