Birmingham City’s most recent news.Wayne Rooney comments live on the recent omissions of Krystian Bielik and Siriki Dembele.
After benching the influential Birmingham City pair, Wayne Rooney has told Krystian Bielik and Siriki Dembele to step up their game.
Bielik and Dembele, two of the Blues’ marquee summer signings and standout performers under previous manager John Eustace, have failed to deliver in Rooney’s brief tenure as manager. Bielik was left out of the Blues’ starting lineup against Ipswich three weeks ago before receiving a suspension after coming on as a substitute. Dembele has been used sparingly in the last two games after failing to impress Rooney in the previous three.
When asked what Bielik and Dembele needed to do to win him back, Rooney didn’t mince words. “Player better, it’s as simple as that,” he went on to say. “Dembs and Krystian started the first three games together. I know Krystian well, and he is far superior to his performance. That’s what I told him. He is aware of this.
“The same is true for Dembele. I’ve seen Dembele play a lot, and he’s a lot better than he was in those three games. You can’t come into the team because you’ve got a reputation or because you’ve played games and done well (before), you have to perform well. That’s why they were left off the team.”
After the defeat to Sunderland two weeks ago, Blues players were given some time off before returning to training. Due to the international commitments of Jordan James and Juninho Bacuna, Bielik and Dembele could make a comeback against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
“I have to say the two of them have reacted well to it and trained really well over this period,” the manager added. I’m very pleased with their reactions. But that serves as a lesson to all players: if you’re not performing, you won’t be able to play.”
The Blues are about to enter the busiest part of the season. There are 10 Championship matches to play before the next international break on January 2nd, which is four months away.
“In this league, with the run of games we’re about to go on, you need your full squad,” Rooney added. Players will be given the opportunity to participate. Of course, they must be in good shape and ready to play.
“You have a starting XI or a group of players in mind for whom you have no reservations about playing. This period will also provide opportunities for the younger lads. It’s just a matter of making sure I do it at the right time. In the next two months, every player will get a chance.”
