This summer, we are running a series profiling 50 exciting players under the age of 25 — who they are, how they play, and why they could be attracting interest in the coming transfer windows.
So far, we have run the rule over a striker on Manchester United’s radar, Gen-Z’s answer to Sergio Busquets and the France forward who has gone from zero to €100million in the space of a year. You can find all our profiles until now here.
Next up is a box-to-box midfielder making a name for himself at Birmingham City…
There are several reasons for Birmingham City fans to be optimistic this season.
The Championship’s longest-serving club have gone through some difficult times in the past decade, but their takeover by Shelby Companies Limited in July has heralded a new dawn — catalysed by NFL legend Tom Brady recently becoming a minority owner.
Meanwhile, on the pitch, one of their academy midfield starlets is set for a breakout season: George Hall.
The 19-year-old is yet to appear for Birmingham this term as he works his way back to fitness after a muscle injury was followed by a twisted ankle in July — but fans are eagerly awaiting his return.
The 2022-23 season was arguably a breakout campaign in itself as he racked up 30 appearances in the Championship, with his 13 starts coming largely in the second half of the campaign — enough for him to pick up the club’s Young Player of the Season Award.
“It is a massive achievement. Coming through the academy, it is what you dream of. It is crazy to be in this position,” Hall said. “Even when I played my first game, I never thought I would do it, but I am just grateful that I am in this position.”
There is a refreshing humility from Hall that has been key to his ascent. He is softly spoken with good family values — in the same mould as another Birmingham City academy product who is under 12 months his senior, Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham’s extraordinary rise has created undue pressure among Birmingham City academy products, but Hall has crafted his own trajectory that has been recognised by his national coaches — earning him a call-up to the England Under-18 squad in 2021, and Under-19 set-up in 2022.
At just 19 years old, it is an advantage that Hall does not have a particular trait that stands out, but many would categorise him as an energetic box-to-box midfielder who can play in central or wide positions, and is able to operate in deep or advanced areas.
When you are talented enough to play first-team football in the Championship, managers will often find a way to fit you in the team. Hall’s position map from last season highlights how adaptable he has been across the pitch.
“I think George Hall is going to be a f***ing player, by the way,” was the succinct analysis of former Birmingham City captain Troy Deeney on The Ben Foster Podcast last season.
“When he plays, he’s impactful. I can’t tell you what he does good, but he scores goals, he’s rapid and every time he’s on the pitch, you go: ‘Oh, there he is!’ He just stands out all the time.”
It is an accurate assessment from his former team-mate, as Hall is not high volume in his actions — with his 32.5 touches per 90 being the second-lowest among all Birmingham City players with 900-plus minutes in 2022-23.
As manager John Eustace rotated between a 3-5-2, a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2 structure last season, Hall would often drift into wide areas to find space and make penetrating runs forward — particularly on the right flank.
Nevertheless, there were glimpses of Hall’s skill in central spaces last season, particularly in his tendency to progress the play with the ball at his feet.
At home to Blackburn Rovers last season, Hall recovers a loose ball with five opposition players around him ready to swarm.
The safe option might have been to turn back to play a simple pass and retain possession, but instead the teenager’s quick feet and sharp acceleration leave all five Blackburn players in his wake as he bears down on their defensive line…
…before releasing the ball to Tahith Chong to continue the attack.
It is a window into the confidence the teenager can exude, taking responsibility for his side’s attack with the strength, composure and vision to be the one to make things happen.
Against Rotherham, Hall receives a square pass from team-mate Josh Williams as defender Richard Wood charges out to close him down.
Rather than run into trouble, Hall opens up his body and lets the ball run across him to shake off Wood and drive forward…
….and play a penetrative ball in behind to Scott Hogan.
Similarly, away to Blackburn, Hall receives the ball from Dion Sanderson with his back to goal as Blackburn’s Adam Wharton gets tight to him. Rather than simply play a wall pass back to Sanderson, Hall backs into Wharton, takes the contact and uses it to shrug him off…
….opening up space in a central area to find another penetrative pass to Juninho Bacuna.
Flashes of brilliance are typical for a teenager, but Hall will only produce more examples like these in 2023-24 as he continues his upward trajectory.
Crucially, Hall’s pace and work rate are not restricted to his actions on the ball. He has a fierce determination to fight for possession for his side.
A good example comes in the dying moments of Birmingham’s 2-1 loss to Sunderland last season, where goalkeeper John Ruddy pushes forward for a set piece to salvage a draw.
Sunderland defend the corner well, clearing the ball which bypasses Ruddy and falls for Jack Clarke to run free on the break. Note that Hall is the furthest player back for Birmingham with plenty of ground to make up with Clarke’s headstart.
As Clarke collects the ball and looks to pull away, Hall puts the afterburners on — not only catching up with the Sunderland forward…
…but nipping in ahead of him and preventing a likely goal single-handedly.
While this defensive awareness is part of a somewhat rare sequence of play, Hall frequently scraps for the ball in advanced areas when his side lose possession.
Against Huddersfield Town, a neat ball from Birmingham’s Auston Trusty is played down the line for Hall to chase. With Huddersfield’s David Kasumu tracking his run, the teenager looks second best to win the ball as it reaches the byline.
However, Hall manages to contort his body to prevent the ball going out of play and keep it alive — not once…
…but twice, as he similarly stretches bravely ahead of Huddersfield’s Tom Lees to return the ball for Trusty to cross into the penalty area.
Those flashes, those glimpses, are reasons why Leeds United and Liverpool have been linked with the teenager.
With 13 starts in the Championship last season, Hall should be looking to build further on his performances and pin down a regular spot in Eustace’s starting XI.
The Birmingham player has the attributes to be any kind of midfielder he wants to be — remind you of anyone?
(Top photo: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images; design: Sam Richardson)
