The 2023-24 season for Birmingham City has been nothing short of disastrous. A promising start was followed by bizarre boardroom decisions and the campaign culminated in relegation.
To make matters worse, preparations for their first term at League One level for 30 years are on hold as the club searches for yet another new manager.
The recently released retained list has highlighted one particular area the incoming gaffer will need to pay close attention to: goalkeeper.
Backup keeper Neil Etheridge has had his departure confirmed, while the club has offered new terms to number one John Ruddy. Youngster Bradley Mayo has been offered terms on a professional deal, but should Ruddy seek new beginnings, the Blues will be left very light between the sticks.
With that in mind, here are five goalkeepers the club could look at for what could be a very challenging season.
Joseph Anang – West Ham United (out of contract this summer)
Perhaps an unexpected choice to start to the list but 23-year-old Anang is set to be available on a free and will be chomping at the bit for first-team action.
The England Under 20 international has been on West Ham’s books since he was a teenager and progressed to the third-choice stopper at the London Stadium. He was named on the bench for six Conference League matches and seven times in the Premier League.
Anang’s first-team outings have come from loan spells at Stevenage and St Patrick’s Athletic in the League of Ireland. His temporary switch to Derby County was cut short due to a broken arm.
Signing a player with limited exposure to first-team football may be seen as a risk but the capture of Anang could prove to be an astute bit of business for Birmingham.
Lawrence Vigouroux – Burnley
Chilean Vigouroux was a star performer for Leyton Orient in their promotion season of 2022-23 before switching to Premier League new boys Burnley.
During that campaign, Vigouroux kept 24 clean sheets, prevented over six goals against xG, rated highly in commanding his area and didn’t make a single error leading to a goal.
Any move for the Burnley keeper will depend on how close Birmingham can get in terms of wages and the current interest surrounding fellow Turf Moor stopper James Trafford. The move is perhaps unlikely but it would be a superb signing.
Wes Foderingham – Sheffield United (out of contract this summer)
This Premier League season for Sheffield United and Foderingham has been somewhat of a disaster and one they will be glad to see the back of.
However, the former Rangers keeper has experience at all levels of the English professional game and would provide the older head for what could be a young Blues team.
Foderingham has kept 44 clean sheets in 131 League One matches as well as 36 in 72 Championship outings. Still just 33 years of age, the Blades’ keeper could be a useful addition for City.
Max Stryjek – Wycombe Wanderers (out of contract this summer)
This would be a signing to keep those controlling the purse strings happy. Signing a goalkeeper who fell out of favour at Wycombe and was sent on an emergency loan to Crewe Alexandra may not set the world alight for Birmingham fans but Stryjek is accomplished at this level.
When playing regularly for the Chairboys during the 2022-23 season, the Pole kept 16 clean sheets and conceded just 40 times.
During that season, he prevented over eight goals against xG and ranked highly in number of saves and save percentage. Stryjek is certainly worth considering for the incoming manager.
Corey Addai – Crawley Town
If Stryjek was a solid signing on the cheap side, then any move for Addai would require a substantial financial package, particularly after Crawley’s promotion.
The 26-year-old was nothing short of phenomenal during the Red Devils’ successful campaign, keeping eight clean sheetsand preventing an incredible 15.83 goals against xG.
This should be regarded as the most unlikely signing for the Blues but Addai would be an outstanding acquisition.
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