Birmingham City boss John Eustace is desperate to keep hold of Championship starlet George Hall amid reports suggesting the teenager could join Premier League outfit Leeds United in January, speaking to the Birmingham Mail.
Maybe the critics were a little premature, mocking Birmingham City for retiring Jude Bellingham’s number 22 shirt following that big-money move to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2020.
The decision was made, the Blues said, because they felt it would be a ‘fitting reminder’ to the club’s other young talents as to what can be achieved with a combination of talent and hard work. A reminder of how far Bellingham came in such a short space of time, and ‘to inspire others’.
In that sense, it appears to have worked wonders. A glut of academy graduates have emerged onto the scene in Bellingham’s wake.
Whether 18-year-old George Hall goes on to achieve even half of what Bellingham has, only time will tell. But the Reddith-born England U19 international is certainly making a decent fist of following in the Liverpool target’s footsteps at St Andrews.
Leeds United want George Hall from Birmingham City
“Everyone knows what I think of George Hall,” Eustace says of the teenager, who has started five games this season while making another 13 appearances off the bench.
“He’s one of the top young players in the country, especially in the Championship. And I certainly don’t want George to go.”
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are ‘closing in’ on Hall ahead of the January transfer window. The Whites have invested heavily in their academy during the Andrea Radrizzani era, and Hall would be in good company alongside Joe Gelhardt, Crysencio Summerville, Sam Greenwood and co at Elland Road.
Eustace is not going to let his prized asset go without a fight however.
“I have seen the speculation. I don’t think anyone at the football club wants George to leave,” adds the former QPR assistant. “He is going to play a massive part here going forward, and I think his development up to now has been fantastic.
“He is really showcasing himself very well. When he starts games, he is very good. And when he has come off the bench, he has made a huge impact.
“For a player who has just turned 18, I think his development is good. George is a fantastic young player. I don’t want him to go anywhere. We are very lucky to have him at the football club.”
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