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Birmingham have got half of the issue right, now fix the other half – Opinion

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Birmingham could be playing a very risky game with this latest move.

Journalist Alan Nixon is reporting that Isaac Vassell could be about to leave the club, with the Blues set to bring in a replacement, and there looks to be one man in particular that they’re focusing on. There have been reports that Birmingham are keeping their eye on Inter Milan’s departing forward George Puscas. Puscas spent last season on loan at Palermo and had a reasonable return of nine goals in thirty-three league appearances.

However according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, he is not in Antonio Conte’s plans for this upcoming term with a number of clubs, including the Blues, looking at him.

Now whilst I would be in favour of Puscas coming in, he’s got a very respectable goal return over the course of his career, better than one in three, I don’t think I agree with the idea of Vassell being loaned out as a result. Speaking after the 4-0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday, boss Pep Clotet said; “The squad is still a little bit thin, and it’s important to use those final days in the window to try to strengthen and bring the targets that we identified.”

I’m not sure if a policy of one in and one out is how you address a squad that you describe as thin. One in and nobody out, fine.

Whilst Puscas may be an improvement on Vassell judging by their respective goal returns, I do think that going into the season with only three men up top to choose from is a bit of a risky strategy, particularly with Lukas Jutkiewicz providing so many goals last season.

You need a lot of strength in depth to deal with any potential setbacks, which is why I talked about forwards ‘by committee’ last week. Jutkiewicz is in desperate need of a strike partner according to Blues fans, and judging by his record, Puscas may be the ideal one, but the club may not be able to rely on him all season.

That’s why I think it’s imperative they keep Vassell as a backup option. As the saying goes, you’d rather have him and not need him, than need him and not have him.

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