[Bertie Wooster]

I'd be surprised, and really disappointed, if we sold Mejbri in the summer.

Though I'd also be surprised, but delighted, if we give him much of a chance to stay and be part of the first team squad next season.

I think he will, and probably should, have another loan next season. I've been generally happy with how his loan at Birmingham has gone, and they seem to have warmed to him. But not sure he's shown enough at a mid-lower Championship club to immediately step up to our first team squad next year.

Probably best he has another loan out and gains more valuable experience. The fact that I'm undecided whether he's best going to the PL - where a loan could very much go either way in terms of playing time - or another season in the championship or at a 'lesser' top flight such as Eredivisie, where he's more likely to be a starter, is probably support that I don't think he's quite ready to be challenging for regular games with us so soon.

But definitely hope we don't sell him as I loved watching him in the youth games and really feel there's a top midfielder there if he develops well and hones his ability and potential. If he can have a really good loan next year then I'd love to see him push for first team minutes with us after that.

 

[Remember the geese]

He needs a proper loan to a proper club. Not a bunch of long ball, rough 'em up try hards. Something similar to what Amad had this season would be spot on.

 

[Gabriel Djemba-Bebe]

He needs a proper loan to a proper club. Not a bunch of long ball, rough 'em up try hards. Something similar to what Amad had this season would be spot on.

We really should've known this before loaning him. I work with a Birmingham fan who said they've been a low-possession, long ball club for years with Jutkiewicz up top and that was never going to change when they signed Deeney last summer. The odds of Hannibal thriving in that system weren't good. Unfortunately we don't seem to have the best decision makers at the club when it comes to player loans.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

It wont be fair to sell him next season. Had a decent loan spell and deserves at least one season. We are not City or Chelsea who treat their youth products like trash. Surely there are better ways to generate revenue than selling promising young players without giving them chance

Disagree. We have to be more ruthless with our youth. If there is no path to the first team, move him on. Leaving players in perennial loan limbo does a massive disservice to them and to the club.

 

[Remember the geese]

We really should've known this before loaning him. I work with a Birmingham fan who said they've been a low-possession, long ball club for years with Jutkiewicz up top and that was never going to change when they signed Deeney last summer. The odds of Hannibal thriving in that system weren't good. Unfortunately we don't seem to have the best decision makers at the club when it comes to player loans.

Agreed. It was a poorly judged loan. He plays with a bunch of cloggers at International level too. Can only hope that it's second time lucky, just as it was with Amad.

 

[MadDogg]

I'd be a bit disappointed if we do sell him without really seeing what he can do, but I'd be ok with it as long as we have a buy-back clause. I can't remember us ever doing that but it's what we should do for young talented players who can't break into the first team but are passed the point we should just be sending them out on loan all the time. Tuanzebe is probably the classic example in the recent past of a player we should have done that with. Henderson as well if we didn't intend on him actually overtaking De Gea.

Insisting on a buy-back clause will probably cost us a little extra money from their sales, but will then obviously put us in a good position to save money on the occasional player like that who does develop in a way that we want back.

 

[OrcaFat]

Wish the cause and foundation of my depression was something as trivial as a football club potentially selling a footballer.

Figure of speech. But as far as football is concerned this kind of thing is very important to me.

 

[OrcaFat]

It would be plain daft of the club to give up on him and sell him, so it has to be surely another loan.

Hope so.

Wonder where the Guardian got that stuff from, aside from the likelihood that they made it up based on common sense. Hannibal is the name that sticks out and you’d think they would say loan if that’s what they mean. But if a loan, it’s almost pointless mentioning it because he’s not a part of our squad now so loaning him again doesn’t leave us any lighter. Lazy article anyway, imo.

 

[DWelbz19]

The entire article(s) were briefed fluff pieces to give the fans a bit of hope after such a battering. There’s absolutely no way we sell more than maybe 5 of these massively underperforming players this summer

 

[Petr1]

If he had played in the Eredevisie he would be heavily linked to United I think

 

[FrankDrebin]

The entire article(s) were briefed fluff pieces to give the fans a bit of hope after such a battering. There’s absolutely no way we sell more than maybe 5 of these massively underperforming players this summer

Yep, these puff pieces are quite common when we lose big. Thought some fans would catch on now.

 

[stu_1992]

I think if we don't want to send him back to the championship, maye we should look at Ligue 1. An obvious step up, but not at Prem Level either. I always find that Ligue 1 is the European league that most closely matches the physicality of the Prem and players generally seem to adapt from that league to PL level pretty easily, as opposed to say the Eredivisie which is far more hit or miss. I'm sure he'll still have a good reputation in France from the hype he had as a youngster there.

 

[CM]

I'd be very surprised if Hannibal ever makes it at first-team level here. He looked good in the youth team but if we decide to send him out on loan again, I think it'd only be for the purpose of extracting as much value as possible when we do eventually sell him.

 

[GueRed]

If he's good enough he'll get his chance...

He's looked good at youth level, i really enjoyed watching him there and he's just had a pretty solid season in the Championship.

Premier league and challenging at the top is another level though.
people need to realise this.

Realistically does he have the potential to be better than what we have?

 

[TwoSheds]

On the face of it he'd be a super option next to Casemiro if he's mature enough. Physical, quick, skilful, decent passer, great energy...if McTominay is leaving I'd keep him around personally as an option in the very physical games.

 

[top1whoisman]

On the face of it he'd be a super option next to Casemiro if he's mature enough. Physical, quick, skilful, decent passer, great energy...if McTominay is leaving I'd keep him around personally as an option in the very physical games.

He’s not that physical or quick actually. Quick feet in terms of being tidy in possession sure, but not that fast a runner.

 

[limerickcitykid]

He's remarkably in the bottom 1% for pass completion, miscontrols, and being dispossessed. Bottom 2% for take-on completion. He couldn't be more untidy if he tried and coughs up possession at will.

He hasn't progressed at all since he was 16.

 

[In Rainbows]

He's remarkably in the bottom 1% for pass completion, miscontrols, and being dispossessed. Bottom 2% for take-on completion. He couldn't be more untidy if he tried and coughs up possession at will.

He hasn't progressed at all since he was 16.

I think that's nearly the case for everyone in Birmingham's midfield except for Bielik who is bottom 34% in passing success.

Pass Completion/Miscontrols/Dispossesssed/Take-On Completion
Bacuna = 1%/1%/8%/30%
Bielik = 33%/7%/5%/4%
Chong = 4%/7%/5%/4%
Hannibal = 1%/1%/1%/2%

The tactics surely aren't helping. On the other hand, Hannibal provides better defensive stats (top 34%) than his teammates, and with Bacuna provide more creativity (Hannibal is top 11% for xAssists) than Bielik.

 

[Stadjer]

If he had played in the Eredevisie he would be heavily linked to United I think

I wouldnt mind to see him in the Eredivisie for a season

 

[OrcaFat]

He's remarkably in the bottom 1% for pass completion, miscontrols, and being dispossessed. Bottom 2% for take-on completion. He couldn't be more untidy if he tried and coughs up possession at will.

He hasn't progressed at all since he was 16.

Sounds terrible. What little I’ve seen of him he looked good. His debut for us was very exciting. I still think he’ll make it but the evidence doesn’t reassure me.

 

[TwoSheds]

I think that's nearly the case for everyone in Birmingham's midfield except for Bielik who is bottom 34% in passing success.

Pass Completion/Miscontrols/Dispossesssed/Take-On Completion
Bacuna = 1%/1%/8%/30%
Bielik = 33%/7%/5%/4%
Chong = 4%/7%/5%/4%
Hannibal = 1%/1%/1%/2%

The tactics surely aren't helping. On the other hand, Hannibal provides better defensive stats (top 34%) than his teammates, and with Bacuna provide more creativity (Hannibal is top 11% for xAssists) than Bielik.

Those stats don't look great but at least dispossessed being extremely low is good isn't it?

Either way, not really too fussed about stats based on that weird hoofball style Birmingham seem to have, I want to see him in preseason and judge for myself. I think he will have kicked on again and make some miserable sods eat their words.

 

[Remember the geese]

He's remarkably in the bottom 1% for pass completion, miscontrols, and being dispossessed. Bottom 2% for take-on completion. He couldn't be more untidy if he tried and coughs up possession at will.

He hasn't progressed at all since he was 16.

The sad but unfortunate truth. He has stagnated for a while. It's like one of those unspoken truths that nobody wants to acknowledge. Similar story with Ethan Laird, although he has always been up against it due to injuries. Hannibal has been a really talented player in our academy, but he's had a rough year or two. I still hold out hope that playing for a club who have a more progressive playing style will bring out the kind of performances that he has shown at academy level in the past. I am concerned though because he was one who I looked at as having a strong chance of making it with us. When I first saw him at 16, he almost looked a certainty.

 

[OrcaFat]

He’s not that physical or quick actually. Quick feet in terms of being tidy in possession sure, but not that fast a runner.

I don’t know about his top speed in mph but he is a determined runner and carries the ball at pace through the middle third when the mood strikes him. His stats are (somewhat) appalling but he looks to have the fundamental ability and, to me, looks fast enough and strong enough. I don’t discount the possibility that I’m seeing what I want to see.

 

[top1whoisman]

I don’t know about his top speed in mph but he is a determined runner and carries the ball at pace through the middle third when the mood strikes him. His stats are (somewhat) appalling but he looks to have the fundamental ability and, to me, looks fast enough and strong enough. I don’t discount the possibility that I’m seeing what I want to see.

I think at least at this moment he'd be found wanting in the whole physical department of the game in the Premier League. I don't think he would be able to win duels against the likes of Palhinha, Rodri, Xhaka etc. I'm afraid he'd look horribly out of place an the fans would turn against him real quick. I still hold some hope that he could make it but he's definitely not ready to play any part next season, unless something drastic happens this summer in terms of his development.

 

[Adnan]

As predicted he starts today and expect Birmingham to cough up possession because they're statistically the worst team at maintaining possession.

 

[OrcaFat]

I think at least at this moment he'd be found wanting in the whole physical department of the game in the Premier League. I don't think he would be able to win duels against the likes of Palhinha, Rodri, Xhaka etc. I'm afraid he'd look horribly out of place an the fans would turn against him real quick. I still hold some hope that he could make it but he's definitely not ready to play any part next season, unless something drastic happens this summer in terms of his development.

I’m not sure about that. His main deficiency appears to be his rawness. The Championship is a plenty physical league and I don’t think he looks particularly outmuscled or off the pace. But he isn’t very productive and looks pretty ragged.

Clearly he has a long way to go and I trust EtH assuming he’s the one deciding the next step for Hannibal. Hope he at least spends pre-season with us.

He’s twenty now and it’s that sort of age (bar Giggs) where the 92 kids were breaking in. Beckham came back from Preston at 20 and took a little while to become a regular but by the end of that season he was miles ahead of where Hannibal is now. I don’t know; we just have to wait and see.

 

[top1whoisman]

I’m not sure about that. His main deficiency appears to be his rawness. The Championship is a plenty physical league and I don’t think he looks particularly outmuscled or off the pace. But he isn’t very productive and looks pretty ragged.

Clearly he has a long way to go and I trust EtH assuming he’s the one deciding the next step for Hannibal. Hope he at least spends pre-season with us.

He’s twenty now and it’s that sort of age (bar Giggs) where the 92 kids were breaking in. Beckham came back from Preston at 20 and took a little while to become a regular but by the end of that season he was miles ahead of where Hannibal is now. I don’t know; we just have to wait and see.

The way I see it there’s a lot of room for improvement in how to use the body and I have a feeling he simply doesn’t (yet) have the required body strength to compete in the PL.

I’d say a loan somewhere in Europe at a club that plays possession football on the ground and where he’d be the main man would the best option. Even if it’s not the best possible league.

In terms of breaking through, there’s no rush. Some do it at 18, some at 20, some at 22 and some at 24. All about finding the right next step for him and the decisions regarding him, Iqbal & Mainoo next season are very important ones.

 

[TwoSheds]

I’m not sure about that. His main deficiency appears to be his rawness. The Championship is a plenty physical league and I don’t think he looks particularly outmuscled or off the pace. But he isn’t very productive and looks pretty ragged.

Clearly he has a long way to go and I trust EtH assuming he’s the one deciding the next step for Hannibal. Hope he at least spends pre-season with us.

He’s twenty now and it’s that sort of age (bar Giggs) where the 92 kids were breaking in. Beckham came back from Preston at 20 and took a little while to become a regular but by the end of that season he was miles ahead of where Hannibal is now. I don’t know; we just have to wait and see.

Tbf Beckham, Scholes and Giggs are some of our best ever midfielders though. Obviously it would be great if he could be in that bracket but at the moment all he has to do is be better than VdB, Fred, McTominay and Sabitzer. It's a slightly different bar.

As an alternate comparison Fletcher wasn't putting in many top performances for us until he was 22 and he wasn't consistently doing it until at least 23/24, and Carrick would have been playing in the Championship with West Ham at the same age. They may not have been amongst our best ever midfielders but they were nonetheless superb contributors to some of our great sides.

 

[OrcaFat]

The way I see it there’s a lot of room for improvement in how to use the body and I have a feeling he simply doesn’t (yet) have the required body strength to compete in the PL.

I’d say a loan somewhere in Europe at a club that plays possession football on the ground and where he’d be the main man would the best option. Even if it’s not the best possible league.

In terms of breaking through, there’s no rush. Some do it at 18, some at 20, some at 22 and some at 24. All about finding the right next step for him and the decisions regarding him, Iqbal & Mainoo next season are very important ones.

Yeah, got to do the best thing for these kids for the long term.

It’s true that each player is “ready when they’re ready” and the actual age varies. It’s probably also true that most of the really top players are “ready” by age 20-ish and usually younger but there are exceptions.

Being ready for Utd is quite a big ask but we’ve had Rash, Greenwood, Garnacho, in the last few years. Midfielders (and defenders) mature a bit later, I suppose.

 

[OrcaFat]

Tbf Beckham, Scholes and Giggs are some of our best ever midfielders though. Obviously it would be great if he could be in that bracket but at the moment all he has to do is be better than VdB, Fred, McTominay and Sabitzer. It's a slightly different bar.

As an alternate comparison Fletcher wasn't putting in many top performances for us until he was 22 and he wasn't consistently doing it until at least 23/24, and Carrick would have been playing in the Championship with West Ham at the same age. They may not have been amongst our best ever midfielders but they were nonetheless superb contributors to some of our great sides.

Yeah, fair.

 

[Petr1]

I wouldnt mind to see him in the Eredivisie for a season

Given your location I can understand that! But he is Championship level at least so perhaps Spain would suit him more? Would be sad to see him go permanently regardless

 

[suheilsworld]

Didn’t know where to post this but championship season ends on 8th May. Can we have some of the loan players back in the squad for strength and rotation? Mejbri would be a decent option from on the bench along with Alvaro Fernandez at LB with Shaw continue to play at CB.

 

[Davie Moyes]

Blimey there is some negativity in this thread and loads writing him off. Can't say I've seen much of him on loan but as many have already described Birmingham's style as a bad fit.

I don't care about the stats posted above, in fact I'm not sure I would trust those stats as I've seen enough of this guy at youth level/reserves and would comfortably put him only behind Amad in terms of our current young talent. These two probably did not even need loans if they were trusted and integrated at first team level.

This guy has not only the talent and technique but aggression and mentality similar to Bruno/Antony. I think it's just a matter of time before it clicks for him.

I've said it before and I'll say it again regarding these two, if they don't make it at Utd then some serious questions need to be asked regarding development of our young players.

 

[roseguy64]

Didn’t know where to post this but championship season ends on 8th May. Can we have some of the loan players back in the squad for strength and rotation? Mejbri would be a decent option from on the bench along with Alvaro Fernandez at LB with Shaw continue to play at CB.

No. They can train with the team but can't play. Transfer windows still exist.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I have no idea why we’d sell him. He’s young and supposedly a big talent. Next season should go on loan to a team that focuses on possession and dominating the ball.

 

[Bondi77]

I would have to think that the coaching staff are watching full replays of the games of our loanees or at least there should be a club representative in attendance at the game and compiling a full report on the player and we have to take it from there I guess.
From what I have seen of him he has to be a better option than VDB at the very least.

 

[top1whoisman]

Didn’t know where to post this but championship season ends on 8th May. Can we have some of the loan players back in the squad for strength and rotation? Mejbri would be a decent option from on the bench along with Alvaro Fernandez at LB with Shaw continue to play at CB.

As @roseguy64 said they are not eligible. And even if they were, Fernández is not above Malacia in the pecking order, and Hannibal not above Sabitzer, Fred & McTominay.

 

[Roboc7]

If he is deemed not to be good enough then I didn’t have an issue with him being sold whilst his stock is fairly high. Personally I’d like him not to be sold as think he’s shown enough out on loan this season but we do have a tendency to let youngsters slip into a bit of a black hole at age of 20 onwards.

The loan system is a lottery and we should be selling some of our youngsters who don’t make it for much higher fees. We always seem to miss the boat by retaining them even if there seems to be no plan about their next steps. Garner was a rare exception but it’s a good example of tough decisions club needs to start making.

 

[AltiUn]

Blimey there is some negativity in this thread and loads writing him off.

Some posters have had a really weird dislike of him since he joined, I've seen it with first team players before but Hannibal might be the first youth player I've seen it happen to. Just really bizarre.

 

[Adnan]

He came off the bench for Birmingham against Coventry City away with Birmingham 2-0 down. And within about 10 minutes of his arrival he did more than Jobe Bellingham and Jordan James who started the game. Hannibal recorded a 100% pass completion from 28 touches but from watching the game live, I do remember him under hitting one pass, so the stat via Sofascore isn't 100% correct.

https://www.sofascore.com/birmingham-city-coventry-city/jsl

But apart from that, he showed excellent ability in tight spaces where he on one occasion was being aggressively pressed by a physically stronger player in his own defensive wide space and he turned him superbly well and then went past two more Coventry players before playing the ball into the striker Jutkiewicz, who gave the ball away via a heavy first touch. And he was dispossessed once in the time he was on the pitch, when he received the ball in the wide space on the left where he was surrounded by three Coventry players.