Birmingham City signed 12 new players in the summer transfer window, but how did their Championship rivals fare?
14:57, 07 Sep 2025Updated 15:12, 07 Sep 2025
Birmingham City signing Jack Robinson
The Championship will resume next weekend after a two-week international break and the end of the transfer window.
Clubs can’t make any significant changes to their squads until the January transfer window opens, meaning we will now see who has equipped themselves best.
Birmingham City believe they have enjoyed a strong window with 12 new signings, including deadline day arrivals Patrick Roberts and Jack Robinson, and Chris Davies’ side have made a solid start to the season.
But what about their rivals? We have got the verdict of a local reporter for each of the Championship clubs after the window shut.
Birmingham City
Alex Dicken – Birmingham Live
Key signing: Demarai Gray – The homecoming of Demarai Gray is designed to catapult Blues into the Premier League and he has been the most impressive of their summer signings thus far. Blues need Gray to be a match-winner in the Championship and rack up goal contributions that he hasn’t posted in his career to date.
Key departure: Krystian Bielik – Selling your captain is always an eye-catching move but Blues boss Chris Davies felt that it was the right time to move on from Bielik. Can Blues categorically say their central defensive options are better for it? Only time will tell.
Verdict: Blues have bet big on experience in the hope that it will drive them to the Premier League. Six of their 12 summer signings are 28 or older, three are into their thirties, and three have already celebrated promotion to the Premier League. There is plenty of Championship experience, but Blues’ two new strikers – Kyogo Furuhashi and Marvin Ducksch – have never played in England before and the team’s success could well depend on how much of the load they can take off talisman Jay Stansfield.
Birmingham City striker Jay StansfieldBlackburn Rovers
Elliott Jackson – The Lancashire Telegraph
Key signing: Ryoya Morishita – Signed from Legia Warsaw for around two million euros, the Japanese forward should provide an injection of goal-scoring potential and creativity after 28 goal contributions last season.
Key departure: Lewis Travis – The Rovers captain became the latest in a growing line to leave Ewood Park and reunite with John Eustace at Derby County. It was a messy divorce which has seen Travis leave a huge hole in the centre of midfield and in the dressing room.
Verdict: It’s been a summer of huge turnover at Ewood Park. 10 have signed but six have left too. With the sales of Callum Brittain, Travis and Dom Hyam, on deadline day, it’s a big gamble.
In their place are a lot of unknown quantities which no doubt have potential. But around 2,000 Championship appearances have left Rovers’ squad across the summer and that comes with great risk.
Bristol City
Dan Carter – Bristol Live
Key signing: Emil Riis – Signed on a free transfer from Preston North End, Bristol City will be hoping the 28-year-old forward can fill the goalscoring void left by Nahki Wells at Ashton Gate. Although the new season is only a matter of games old, the Dane has already impressed, particularly with his brace against Hull City, and if he can stay fit, he has shown that there is no reason he can’t hit double figures and get up near that much-coveted 20-goal mark.
Key departure: Nahki Wells – There was limited movement out of Ashton Gate this summer, so it is hard to point to anyone but Nahki Wells. The Bermudian played a crucial role in securing the Reds’ top six finish last term; however, he was not offered a new contract in the summer and has since joined Luton Town on a free transfer. Having been unable to get a new forward through the door on deadline day, City could have perhaps done worse than retaining the 35-year-old for another season.
Verdict: Considering City only paid a fee for a single player this summer, their business has been incredibly smart. With Adam Randell, Joe Lumley, Emil Riis, Radek Vitek and Neto Borges, the Robins have improved their options in central midfield, in goal, up front and at left-back which deserves credit.
Perhaps their best business, however, has been keeping the bulk of last season’s squad together. The Reds fended off late interest from Wrexham in Zak Vyner and are able to call upon all of Jason Knight, Ross McCrorie and Anis Mehmeti again this term, which should stand them in good stead under Gerhard Struber.
Charlton Athletic
Richard Cawley – South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition
Key signing: Charlie Kelman – Last season’s League One Golden Boot winner gets another crack at showing what he can do in the Championship after a lack of opportunities there with QPR. The forward’s ability to get goals without probably a huge amount of service is going to be key. It might take a little time for Kelman to adjust to his new surroundings, but the quality of his finishing was beyond dispute during last season’s prolific loan stay at Leyton Orient.
Key departure: Thierry Small – the left-sided defender was kept out of his natural position by Josh Edwards last season but did a really good job as a right wing-back after being switched there by Nathan Jones. Brings pace and power. The only thing that needs refining and working on is his composure and decision-making in the final third. If he locks those other aspects in then it won’t be long before the Preston North End man is back at a Premier League club again.
Verdict: A solid window. Jones has brought in a number of players with a point to prove in the Championship – Kelman, Sonny Carey, Isaac Olaofe and Rob Apter come to mind in that regard. So to get a real sense of the quality of the recruitment, we’re going to need a little bit of time. Charlton have spent sensibly and not recklessly. It is easily their most serious outlay for many, many years. Ten additions in total shows that Jones is not going to indulge in any sentimentality when it comes to his League One play-off final winning squad.
Coventry City
Laura Hartley, Reach PLC
Key signing: Luke Woolfenden – defence is an area Coventry has needed to improve on since the departure of Kyle McFadzean and with experience in the Premier League, Woolfenden seems to be the missing piece.
Key departure: Raphael on loan. He’s looked really bright when he’s come on as a sub at the beginning of the season, I thought he’d have a real shot at senior team appearances, becoming a key player on the wing that City need depth for, he had the pace and confidence building as he embedded himself back into the team after last season’s rollercoaster and I think Coventry will regret sending him out on loan at some point in the near future.
Verdict: While I could face some ribbing for not saying Ben Sheaf was a key departure, I think actually with his recent injuries and Lampard’s coaching in the midfield, it was maybe time to say goodbye. It would’ve been ideal to get in another striker and winger but we’ve covered the main holes in the squad (goalkeeper and defence), and while the squad depth isn’t great, I don’t think it’s the worst window Coventry have had – the most important piece of business this summer was purchasing the CBS Arena and now owning the stadium outright.
Coventry City manager Frank LampardDerby County
Leigh Curtis, DerbyshireLive
Key signing: Carlton Morris – For what has seemed like an eternity, Derby had been chasing a high-quality number nine since they emerged from administration three years ago. There are stories of countless near misses during that time, but Morris has finally given them a frontman who is Championship-calibre and a goalscorer. He has already scored four goals, but his all-around game is impressive. He’s great with his back to goal, exceptional in the air and as his goal against Stoke proved on the opening day, he is an expert finisher if you give him the chances.
Key departure: This is a hard question to answer because Derby have kept their best players and got rid of those who were on the periphery of the squad. If I were to be pushed on who was a key departure, then I’d have to say Kane Wilson’s move to MK Dons purely because he was a fans’ favourite and an exciting attacking full-back. But Derby have upgraded that position with the arrival of Max Johnston from Sturm Graz.
Verdict: The only thing stopping me from giving the window a 10/10 rating is the fact that Derby had been looking for a ball-playing number six. Had one of those arrived, then it would have got full marks. But nobody ever has a perfect window, and the business that Derby have done has been exceptional. They have invested in a squad that, in terms of the difference in quality that John Eustace inherited back in February, is night and day. They’ve got some really exciting players, such as Rhian Brewster and Bobby Clark, while Ben Brereton Diaz could be a masterstroke.
Hull City
Barry Cooper, Hull Daily Mail
Key signing: Oli McBurnie. City spent the summer trying to get a deal done for the former Sheffield United striker following his departure from Las Palmas in La Liga and finally got their man last month.
McBurnie has made a bright start to his City career, scoring twice in four starts. Gives City some much-needed physicality at the top end of the pitch.
Key departure: Alfie Jones The popular centre-back left City in July to join rivals Middlesbrough in a £3m deal. It was a big blow to lose Jones. He had been a first team regular at the MKM Stadium in recent years.
Verdict: It was a dramatic, chaotic and at times, bewildering transfer window with two signings and a departure on deadline day. In total, City made 12 signings with as many as 19 departures across a hectic summer period which began with the club being slapped with a flurry of transfer restrictions.
Despite being unable to pay a transfer or loan fee, the Tigers were still able to bring in experienced Championship players such as McBurnie and John Lundstram, while exciting youngsters Gyabi and Joel Ndala joined former terrace favourite Joe Gelhardt in returning to the MKM Stadium.
The overall success of their business can only be judged in a few months’ time when we’ve seen these players in action, and hopefully, playing consistently, because that is the acid test. Durability and consistency in performance, but despite everything, their squad is probably as strong as it has been since Liam Rosenior was in charge. Football, as we know, is not played on paper. Now it’s time to prove it.
Ipswich Town
Stuart Watson, East Anglian Daily Times
Key signing: Jens Cajuste – Silky Swedish midfielder looked good in the Premier League. All summer it looked like he’d go elsewhere, but Ipswich managed to get him back on loan from Napoli. Just need to keep him fit.
Key departure: Sam Morsy – captain and beating heart of the back-to-back promotion winning side – left for a late career pay day in Kuwait. Massive shoes to fill on and off the pitch.
Verdict: Stated plan was for minimal change, but ended up with 14 exits and 11 arrivals. Losing young stars like Liam Delap and Omari Hutchinson for big money was to be expected, but fans have been saddened and surprised to see so many of the 23/24 promotion heroes (Nathan Broadhead, Conor Chaplin, Luke Woolfenden, Cameron Burgess) join Championship rivals. At times the window felt muddled, some major targets (like Boro’s Hayden Hackney) were missed out on and it left a late scramble for signings that will need time to gel. That said, around £50m was spent and, on paper, this is a very strong squad that contains x2 Championship Golden Boot winners (Chuba Akpom/Sammie Szmodics), a Championship record buy (Norwegian starlet Sindre Walle Egeli for £17.5m) and several proven players at this level. The pressure is now on Kieran McKenna to pull it all together after a slow start to the season.
Chuba Akpom opted for Ipswich Town over Birmingham CityLeicester City
Jordan Blackwell, LeicestershireLive
Key signing: Julian Carranza. Finding a striker to fill Jamie Vardy’s boots is an impossible task, but Leicester had to at least bring in somebody to attempt to replace their iconic number nine.
In the final hours of the window, they did so. Carranza’s level is unknown. He’s only had one season in European football, and only scored five times for Feyenoord last term.
But he was mostly used as a substitute and did get the goal that knocked AC Milan out of the Champions League. He had close to a one-in-two record with Philadelphia Union. Anything near that and he’ll be a hit.
Key departure: Bilal El Khannouss. With him, Leicester would have had one of the most technically talented and creative players in the division and so his exit is a big loss in that respect.
But if Marti Cifuentes felt he was distracted to the point by transfer talk to the point he needed to be dropped, it’s debatable as to whether Leicester would have seen the best of him in the event he’d remained.
So it was important to get the Moroccan out of the side, and it seems Leicester have a strong replacement for him in Aaron Ramsey.
Verdict: Leicester had no outfield signings at 3pm on deadline day, so to finish with three, all of whom feel like decent recruits, is a relief.
It means they have a balanced squad, and one with enough talent to fight for promotion. Plus, keeping Abdul Fatawu and signing Jeremy Monga to a new deal were as good as any signings they could make.
But after two relegations in three seasons, there are still a considerable number of players in the squad who have poor reputations with the fanbase. It’s not been the revamp that many would have liked, with Cifuentes still needing to wipe plenty of slates clean.
Middlesbrough
Craig Johns – Gazette/Teesside Live
Key signing: David Strelec (£6.5m + £2m add-ons from Slovan Bratislava)
Key departure: Finn Azaz (£12.5m + £2.5m add ons to Southampton)
Verdict: Overall, this has the feeling of being one of Boro’s most significant transfer windows in recent history. They’ve ended the window having addressed every major issue the squad had last season and now appear, on paper at least, to have a squad full of quality, depth and balance. Though they lost a couple of good players along the way, they’ve been replaced and all for a net zero cost. An impressive transfer window.
Millwall
William Scott – Southwark News/NewsAtDen
Key signing: Alfie Doughty. Millwall have lacked incision in the final third in the past few seasons, and it’s held them back from potential play-off runs. Judging from his first two games, Doughty can provide that. His quality of final ball, progressive passing, and general all-round creativity are exactly what Millwall needed heading into the summer, and it felt like a real coup to snap up a player who was performing well in the Premier League recently. He also suits the system Millwall play down to a tee – both strikers are aerially dominant and physical, and his crossing is fantastic. It also feels particularly apt that he’s also a Millwall fan. He unfortunately picked up an injury against Middlesbrough, but I’d imagine he’ll be key when he comes back.
Key departure: Japhet Tanganga. Tanganga was Millwall’s best player for most of last season, and rightfully won all three player of the year awards. It felt a bit too good to be true when he signed permanently, and there was a sense he’d move on soon. The money the club got for him represents really good business, and they’ve already replaced him with a younger centre-back, but his departure will sting.
Verdict: James Berylson has invested serious money into the squad again – signing eleven players, some of whom are really exciting additions. Doughty I’ve already mentioned, but Thierno Ballo on loan with an option to buy on deadline day was a really exciting addition. The Austrian international has experience in England at Chelsea’s academy and has racked up serious numbers in the Austrian Bundesliga. Will Smallbone another bit of sensible business – was very effective in the Championship two seasons ago and midfield really needed reinforcing. Not losing Mihailo Ivanovic was another big plus, although the striker has looked a bit distracted in recent game – no doubt interest from other clubs has unsettled him a bit. All in all, Millwall have signed quite a few ceiling raisers and have given Alex Neil the quality the club lacked at times last season. They are well poised to make a push.
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Norwich City
Connor Southwell – The Pink Un
Key signing: Mathias Kvistgaarden (£6.9m) – City did incredibly well to beat Champions League sides to the signing of Kvistgaarden through activating a release clause that very few seemed to be aware of. The Dane is still getting up to match speed and it’s always impossible to predict how they will adapt to life in the Championship. Honourable shoutout to Harry Darling who has been excellent since joining on a free transfer from Swansea and has been excellent. In honesty, the best bit of business may end up being keeping Josh Sargent at Carrow Road.
Key departure: Borja Sainz (£14.25m – Porto) and Marcelino Nunez (£7.5m + £2.5m – Ipswich Town). Two big departures. Sainz was excellent but had a year left on his deal – Nunez’s exit was a real bombshell, not that he left but the destination. It is the first time in 24 years that a player has crossed the divide at senior level. From derby winner to villain.
Verdict: It has been another summer of change at Carrow Road. 12 senior additions and plenty of departures. They’ve revamped their whole goalkeeping department, signed two central defenders, two central midfielders and plenty of attackers. It is up to Liam Manning to end the malaise that has gripped the club since relegation from the Premier League three years ago. They look a tad short in wide areas, but most feel this group have a better balance than 12 months ago with more players ready to hit the Championship ground running. Keeping Sargent gives them a chance against anyone at this level.
Oxford United
Liam Rice (Oxford Mail)
Key signing: Brian De Keersmaecker. The 25-year-old Belgian midfielder joined from Eredivisie outfit Heracles Almelo and immediately looks the part. He ticks a lot of boxes in the midfield for United. He can tackle and get stuck in, but also boasts a marvellous passing range, while adding energy and tenacity to the midfield.
Key departure: Club captain Elliott Moore left via a mutual agreement on deadline day. It was a twist which left many surprised, as it would any club. But delve a little deeper, and it starts to make sense. Last season, injury ensured Moore played just 26 times in the league. Those injuries have seemingly caught up with the centre back, who looked off the pace and was exposed defensively in a couple of matches already this season.
Verdict: Quality not quantity was the transfer window mantra at United this summer. In the seven new signings, the U’s have appeared to do smart business and improve the level of the starting XI. Up front, United should be more of a goal threat as the season goes on. Will Lankshear already has two goals since joining from Tottenham Hotspur on loan, and Nik Prelec has demonstrated power and speed in his cameos from the bench.
Portsmouth
Pepe Lacey – The News
Key signing: Conor Chaplin. There wouldn’t have been many bigger or better signings made by any Championship club on deadline day which could be compared to Chaplin’s Fratton Park homecoming. Take the romance out of the move and John Mousinho’s men have secured a Championship promotion winner, who has 44 goal contributions at this level during an outstanding career. It’s a statement signing by the Blues, who are looking to build on last season’s solid 16th-placed finish.
Key departure: Matt Ritchie. Pompey had to offload a number of popular figures in the summer if they wanted to progress – including the likes of Paddy Lane, Ryley Towler, Christian Saydee and more. But, Matt Ritchie’s summer exit split the fanbase in half. At the end of last term, he was told by Mousinho that his game time would be reduced for the upcoming season. The winger, who turns 36 this month, and the club then mutually agreed to part ways and he eventually sealed a move to Reading. Ritchie was a mainstay in the side from November, with some supporters disappointed the Blues didn’t do enough to keep him.
Verdict: It was an overall positive transfer window for Pompey. They started the summer by offloading fringe players to free up squad space and went on to recruit 11 new faces. Adrian Segecic – signed from Sydney FC – has been an impressive addition and is already loved by fans, while the captures of Josh Knight, Conor Chaplin and John Swift add plenty of Championship experience to the squad. The Blues also stayed loyal to their transfer policy of sourcing young and exciting talent with the arrivals of Minhyeok Yang (Spurs), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace) and Makenzie Kirk (St Johnstone). Pompey do have plenty of quality in the squad and some of their best business was ensuring Josh Murphy, Colby Bishop and Callum Lang were at Fratton park beyond the window. Keeping their key assets as well as making a number of impressive signings just highlights the Blues’ ambitions.
Preston North End
George Hodgson, Lancashire Post
Key signing: Thierry Small. It was a toss up between Small and the returning Daniel Iversen, whose shot-stopping on its own will earn PNE points this season. North End have signed an exciting talent in Small though, and he could well become a key asset for the club while bringing something new to the team right now. That’s a great balance to strike; supporters had been desperate to see Preston bring in younger players with high potential. Small is not the finished article but he wouldn’t be at Deepdale if so. He’s made a positive start to life in a PNE shirt and will be an important figure this year.
Key departure: Emil Riis. He came in for a bit of stick last season but the Dane was a reliable source of goals at this level, and to lose him on a free transfer at the age of 26 wasn’t a great look. The striker was ready for a new challenge though, which left Preston powerless. I think he’ll have a strong season for Bristol City. PNE will hope the likes of Michael Smith, Lewis Dobbin and Daniel Jebbison can replace the goals that have been lost with Riis’ departure.
Verdict: PNE signed 12 players this summer but their net spend was miniscule, due to final payments on additions from previous windows. When you take that into consideration, you’d have to say North End have done a decent job in assembling a squad which should compete. Quality has been added via the loan market with the likes of Harrison Armstrong and Alfie Devine snapped up. There were fears after last season’s last gasp relegation scrap but under Paul Heckingbottom, the Lilywhites’ squad looks solid enough. Another striker was wanted on deadline day and it was a disappointment to miss out on one. It’s now a nervous wait to learn the outcome of Milutin Osmajic’s hearing. If the outcome there isn’t positive, then there will be cause for concern.
Queens Park Rangers
David McIntyre, West London Sport
Key signing: Richard Kone. Who doesn’t need a goalscoring number nine? QPR have wasted plenty of money over the years in the hope of landing one, but the early signs from Kone have been good. He’s scored twice already, has a real physical presence and just might make a huge difference for Rangers this season.
Key departure: None really. Charlie Kelman being sold to Charlton after scoring 27 goals while on loan at Leyton Orient last season – six more than Kone scored for Wycombe – might have raised a few eyebrows, but he was never highly regarded at Rangers and hasn’t started well at Charlton. The likes of Jack Colback, Morgan Fox and Kenneth Paal leaving at the end of their contracts wasn’t hugely impactful. Ronnie Edwards returning to Southampton after an impressive loan spell disappointed fans, but the current centre-back options are OK.
Verdict: Rangers have had a very decent window in terms of the quality and potential of some of the players they’ve brought in. Kone, Kwame Poku (from Peterborough) and Amadou Mbengue (from Reading) are very good acquisitions. Making good signings and having good players on paper has been a feature of the club’s slide over the years, though. Off-the-pitch issues, including a farcical number of injuries, have been the real problem.
Kwame Poku of QPRSheffield United
Danny Hall / Sheffield Star
Key signing: Japhet Tanganga. United’s statement signing of the summer was late but as they say it’s better than never. He’s slotted in seamlessly into a side that’s having a real struggle early-season and his class was evident from his first kick of a ball in United colours. Ben Mee is at the other end of the scale in terms of age and experience but his arrival could be key too as an effective replacement for skipper Jack Robinson, who’s joined Birmingham. If I can have a bit of artistic licence, keeping Gus Hamer is right up there.
Key departure: Chris Wilder. Not a transfer of course but his departure this summer left many question marks about the future of this football club, which have only intensified after five defeats from five games so far under Ruben Selles. On the pitch, I’d say Vini Souza. He went from zero to hero, playing a key part in last season’s promotion bid before being sold to the Bundesliga in the summer. It left a gaping hole both in United’s midfield and in the dressing room and he has been badly missed so far.
Verdict: Better late than never. United badly needed fresh blood early in the window to give Selles the best chance of hitting the ground running but they dallied for large periods of the summer, only getting their house in order towards the deadline with an explosion of signings. They are undoubtedly stronger coming out of the window than when they went into it while keeping hold of Hamer is huge. His role this season has hamstrung him but he remains up there with the best players in the division, if not No.1. Selles now has all the tools at his disposal, and no excuses.
Sheffield Wednesday
Alex Miller / Sheffield Star
Key signing: Barry Bannan (Re-signed to SWFC after his contract expired)
Key departure: Hope
Verdict: The struggles of Sheffield Wednesday’s summer are well-versed. It’s been an omnishambles, driven and directed by the shameless incompetence of owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Players were sold below RRP so that Chansiri could keep the lights on. Players walked away from their contracts because Chansiri couldn’t pay them. Incoming deals couldn’t be completed because Chansiri couldn’t offer any assurances that people will be paid going forward.
A dozen bona fide first team players left the club, Barry Bannan re-signed on a fraction of his wage, and two came in; one goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on an emergency loan after an injury to star asset Pierce Charles, the other Harry Amass is alleged to be a deal heavily subsidised by Manchester United.
Wednesday have made a habit of bucking the odds in recent seasons and there’ll be no shortage of effort, but with a points deduction in the post even the most optimistic fan would struggle to form a case that survival can be achieved. The bigger fears go beyond the pitch. An utterly miserable summer.
Southampton
Alfie House – Southern Daily Echo
Key signing: Tom Fellows or Finn Azaz. Saints made a few exciting signings right at the end of the window but Fellows in particular was one they really needed. They lacked natural width and players who know how to cross the ball, and the former West Brom man fits the bill with his 14 assists last season, and cost just £10m. But it’s also very hard to look past £14m Azaz, who has recorded the most goals and assists combined in the Championship of any player since 2023/24.
Key departure: Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese youth international was one of very few Saints players who were clearly up to the Premier League level last season, and he scooped the club’s major two Player of the Year awards. West Ham will pay £42m for Fernandes, 21, and Saints did replace him directly with the money but he was a proper favourite at St Mary’s. Special shout to Aaron Ramsdale and Tyler Dibling, too.
Verdict: It’s impossible to give an accurate verdict on any window until you’ve seen the players in action, and believe me we have tried and failed in the past. However, there is a positive feeling as Saints made over £110million selling players we all expected to leave, they shifted plenty of dead wood, and they signed a mixture of top-end Championship players and extremely promising young players. They have what looks to be a much more balanced squad than they did at the start of the window, and have had a major clearout of players who have failed the club.
Will Still, manager of SouthamptonStoke City
Pete Smith, Stoke Sentinel/StokeonTrentLive
Key signing: Sorba Thomas (£1.5m, from Huddersfield Town). A proper Stoke winger with pace and aggression who likes to make things happen. Helps set the mood and looks like he’s loving life for club and country.
Key departure: Wouter Burger (€7-8m, to Hoffenheim). Had a move turned down in late January in the knowledge that he would probably be allowed out in the summer. Showed his best form in second half of last season, leaves with best wishes and a decent little profit.
Verdict: The sales of Burger and Sol Sidibe helped to fund some significant rebuilding and the club seems like it’s got a positive new bounce. Pretty much all players who have left have been replaced by better and the starting XI and squad are stronger in both senses of the word. It will be interesting to see how Tomas Rigo and Lamine Cisse adapt to the Championship but there’s been a buzz about what seems like structured and organised business.
West Bromwich Albion
Lewis Cox – Express & Star
Key signing: Chris Mepham (£1million from AFC Bournemouth). An experienced Premier League defender who won his 50th Welsh cap this week and featured regularly as Sunderland won promotion last term. Only arrived late last week and his debut in the 1-0 win at Stoke last Saturday was inspired.
Key departure: Tom Fellows (£10m to Southampton). Winger has been seen as jewel in the crown at the club since his breakthrough 18 months ago and last season – his first full term as a senior – he topped the Championship assist charts. Always felt likely he’d be off this summer. Many fans felt the fee was a touch low. He should be a big hit at Saints.
Verdict: Strong and pretty commendable.
Albion have started the season well under new rookie boss Ryan Mason and are one of just four clubs left unbeaten at the first international break. They finished with nine new signings as 11 exited the first-team squad.
The club are still grappling with PSR restraints having emerged from the crisis of the previous ownership. The last accounts showed a £34million loss and sales this summer were always likely.
Defensive star Torbjorn Heggem left for £9m and Fellows departed for £10m, bringing in great fees. The reinvesting of those hefty fees was especially eye-catching.
Albion spent modest fees on Mepham (£1m), Nat Phillips (£1m), George Campbell (£1.5m) Krystian Bielik (£2m), Alfie Gilchrist (£1.2m) and loaned Charlie Taylor to transform the defence.
Fellows was not replaced with a like-for-like natural right winger but they aren’t too common nowadays. The club are confident Villa loanee Sammy Iling-Junior can shine.
Another question is whether forward options of £4.7m recruit Aune Heggebo, alongside Josh Maja and Daryl Dike, who both have chequered fitness records, will be enough. Heggebo has been excellent with bullish displays so far.
Wrexham
Richard Williams, Wrexham Leader
Key signing: Lewis O’Brien (£3million from Nottingham Forest). A highly-rated box to box midfielder who is willing to do the dirty forward as well as get forward to support attacks. Already has two goals in the opening four Championship games.
Key departure: Paul Mullin. A lot of players who won three successive promotions have moved on as Wrexham prepare for life in the Championship. Mullin didn’t feature much in the second half of last season in League One but 110 goals in four seasons means he goes down as a Reds’ legend.
Verdict: A total of 13 new signings and a lot of departures means there have been big changes after a record-breaking three successive promotions but this is the biggest step-up yet for Wrexham and it was needed. It is now a squad that can be competitive in the Championship and they may surprise a few people. May need time to gel but it’s been a good transfer window for Wrexham.
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