Birmingham City manager John Eustace has claimed that reported Liverpool target George Hall is going ‘right to the top.’
Hall has been a breakout star for Birmingham this season, playing 27 times in the Championship. This has led to suggestions that the likes of Liverpool are ready to poach the teenager. But in quotes from the Birmingham Mail, Eustace says he’s planning ahead with Hall on board.
“Absolutely, 100%. I want George here for as long as we can sign him on here for,” said the coach. “Everyone at the football club loves him to bits, he’s in a very good environment. I know the fans have really taken to him, he’s one of our own and we want him here for as long as we can.
“He’s approaching 30 appearances this season. We’ve played him in the big, big games. We trust him. He’s got the trust of the group, he works hard. He doesn’t moan, he doesn’t sulk, he gets on with his work and he’s a pleasure to work with.
“George can go right to the top, but as I’ve said before so can Jobe [Bellingham], so can JJ [Jordan James], so can Alfie [Chang], all these young lads as long as they have the right attitude and they apply themselves properly and they don’t want it too early and they keep developing and learning, then they’ve all got fantastic opportunities.
“You’ve got to be able to make a difference. You have to have the respect of your teammates and you first and foremost be good enough to play. George has proven that, his performances have been very, very good for such a young boy. He’s got a big future.”
Hall following in vaunted footsteps
As a result of Jude Bellingham’s meteoric rise, any youngster coming through at Birmingham will be cast a little in his shadow. For a player like Hall, who’s also a midfielder, that will be amplified even further.
Obviously, that’s unfair. Bellingham is a generational talent who was a first-team fixture having barely turned sixteen. He isn’t a player you unearth every day.
But at the same time, Hall deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. To be eighteen and making an impact in such a physical league as the Championship is no mean feat.
As reported interest from Liverpool shows, Premier League sides obviously feel the same way. Hall may or may not be the ‘next Jude Bellingham,’ but he’s clearly a fine player in his own right.
With just a year left on his contract, you get the feeling it’s a big summer for the 18-year-old. If he commits to Birmingham for the time being, perhaps they can get a good fee for him further down the line if he keeps developing.
But if he digs his heels in and has his head turned, then the Blues might have no choice but to cash in now. If Liverpool do bring him in, we expect it won’t be with a first-team remit initially. But he’s certainly a young player to keep an eye on regardless.
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