Sport

An intelligent question from Birmingham City STAR Jordan James

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

Matthew

Although Birmingham City suffered relegation from the Championship last season, one bright spot was the continued emergence and improvement of Welsh midfielder Jordan James.

The youngster looked a cut above, and it was no surprise when French club Rennes moved to sign the 20-year-old in the summer. So, how is he getting on in Ligue 1?

Hereford-born James came through the Blues’ youth academy, making his professional debut for the Championship outfit as a substitute in early November 2022, having impressed greatly in the club’s Under-23 side.

Later that month, after starting his first match for Lee Bowyer’s side, James signed his first professional contract at St Andrews.

*Jordan James’ Birmingham City statistics, as per Transfermarkt*
Statistic	Total
Games	105
Goals	10
Assists	2
YC’s	17
RC’s	0
Total Minutes Played	5,161′

It was quickly evident to supporters that he was a special talent. An all-round midfield player, the youngster has great energy and tenacity, with real assurance on the ball and an eye for an occasional goal.

The Welshman became an integral part of everything positive about his side, going on to make 105 appearnces in the two years following his 2022 debut.

James couldn’t prevent a Blues squad containing the likes of Ivan Sunjic, Dion Sanderson, and John Ruddy from being relegated to the third-tier at the end of last season, however. But despite that disappointment, it was clear the young midfielder was destined for big things.

James headed to the French top-flight over the summer

Amid talk of interest from other clubs, James eventually agreed a £4m move to French side Rennes, penning a 4-year-deal with the Brittany-based club in early August.

Since the move, it appears the youngster is being afforded the necessary time and patience needed to adapt to a new country and culture.

James has only made three, brief substitute appearances for his new club, making his debut in the late August defeat at Strasbourg, before coming on very late in the 3-0 home victory over Montpellier and the subsequent 1-1 draw with Lens towards the end of September.

Having not been involved in the club’s recent trip to PSG, James returned to the bench for the 2-1 home defeat to Monaco last time out, though the Welshman wasn’t called upon by boss Julien Stéphen.

So far, the former Birmingham man has seen just 30 minutes of Ligue 1 action since his move, but the significant changes the move has brought about will, understandably, take some adjusting to.

A Rennes side containing the likes of Glen Kamara and Leo Ostigard have begun the 2024/25 French top-flight campaign in underwhelming fashion, picking up seven points from their opening seven matches to leave them 12th in the early standings.

However, they are a club that regularly aspire to European football, and once they, and James, settle and get going, the 20-year-old could help propel them to similar heights over the coming seasons.

Midfielder is already a regular with Wales

James was eligible for both England and Wales’ national sides, but ultimately chose to represent the latter.

The former Blues youngster played for Wales at various junior age groups, and although he made a couple of appearances for the England Under-20 side in 2022, the 18-year-old midfielder made his senior debut for the Welsh in last year’s dramatic draw with Croatia.

In the two years since, James has played for his country on 12 more occasions, and is an ever-growing influence on a Dragons side currently under the stewardship of ex-striker Craig Bellamy.

There’s every reason to believe that the young, all-action central midfielder can be a big player for his country long into the future, while in the shorter-term, cementing his place in the Rennes first team. As Birmingham supporters can testify too, his potential is huge.