"Talking about spending £3 billion" - Tony Pulis drops Birmingham City claim | OneFootball

Tony Pulis believes the Blues should be praised for their business in recent years

Former Stoke City, West Brom and Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis believes that Birmingham City have spent their money well en route to the League One title.

The Blues stormed to the top of the third-tier in what turned out to be a record-breaking season for Chris Davies’ side, setting a new EFL points record of 111.

Many lamented Birmingham for the money they spent on transfers after relegation from the Championship in 2024, securing big-money deals for players such as Willum Willumsson and Christoph Klarer, before smashing the League One transfer record to acquire Jay Stansfield for a reported £15 million, but they collectively silenced the doubters with an unequalled league campaign.

Off the pitch, owner Tom Wagner’s vision for the club has embodied itself in the ‘Sports Quarter’ - a brand-new development in the east of the city which will encompass a new 60,000-seater stadium, training ground and academy facility, plus entertainment, office, residential and retail spaces.

Pulis admits that although the Blues haven’t spent sparingly, they’ve done it wisely, and that should warrant a certain amount of praise.

“Spent it well” – Pulis showers Birmingham’s business in praise

“We talk about clubs who have had lots of money to spend and haven't spent it well. Birmingham have spent the money and spent it well,” stated to OLBG.

“Craig Gardner is there and he does a lot of work behind the scenes, Craig. He's a very, very clever boy. There's no flies on Craig. He understands the game. I think he's played a big part behind the scenes in getting them where they are. I've had a couple of chats with him over the season.

“Now, whether they go out and spend again or not, we'll have to wait and see. The Americans have obviously got a lot of money there. They're talking about spending £3 billion on redeveloping the city to fit the football club in the town centre, so it'll be interesting, great times for Birmingham.

“They've been on a real downer for a few years and for the Americans to come in and do what they have, they needed to go down really, to have the season that they've had, clear everything, get a positive feel about the place.

“I think everybody at Birmingham will be looking forward to that challenge next year. Whether they go up again or not, we will see, but I can't see them being in any trouble next year.”

The Blues can challenge next year if their transfers remain smart

As eluded to by Pulis, the current positivity surrounding St. Andrew’s will be refreshing for the Blues’ faithful.

After years of underachieving, the club are now firmly on the rise and have their sights set on Championship success next term. Backed by an ambitious owner, the Second City side’s upwards trajectory looks almost unstoppable, and it wouldn’t be unfathomable to see the team fighting for a place in the Premier League next year.

However, the club must keep their feet on the ground and not be tempted to spend recklessly in pursuit of the top-flight.

That could potentially have destructive ramifications and undo all the hard work that has seen the Blues find themselves in the privileged position they are.

It’s yet to be seen how Birmingham and their recruitment team attack the upcoming transfer window, but if their recent track record is anything to go by, they should be well prepared to impose themselves upon the second-tier once more come August.