Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has launched an ambitious plea for Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham to one day return to the club, revealing the vision as part of a monumental £1.2 billion stadium proposal.
A Grand Vision for the Future
The Championship side unveiled plans for a spectacular new 62,000-seater ground, named the 'Powerhouse Stadium', which they hope will be ready for the 2030/31 season. The state-of-the-art facility, located in Bordesley Green, will feature a retractable roof and a changeable pitch, designed to host major events from NFL games to world-class concerts.
During the promotional launch, the involvement of Jude Bellingham, who began his career at Birmingham's St Andrew's, was a central theme. Wagner did not hold back in his admiration for the 22-year-old England international, labelling him the "greatest player on the planet" and expressing a fervent hope for a future reunion.
Wagner's Ambitious Plea to Bellingham
"I think Jude is the greatest player on the planet today, and I think his potential is not even close…we haven't seen anywhere near his full potential yet," Wagner stated. He emphasised Bellingham's value extends beyond the pitch, highlighting his potential as a community leader.
Wagner framed the proposed new stadium as the perfect platform for a prodigal son's return. "If we can provide him a platform to achieve his full potential, well then that's a great story. It's a great coming home story, it's a great Birmingham story. It's a great England story."
Filling a 62,000-Seater Ambition
Admitting that announcing such grand plans while in the Championship might make the club look like "modest lunatics", Wagner was bullish about the club's potential to fill the massive new venue. He pointed to the high demand for tickets during their cup final at Wembley last season as evidence of a large, untapped fanbase.
"When the phone lines closed, we had 26,000 people waiting to purchase a ticket," he revealed, asserting that the club is building for its future, not its past. The broader development will also include a new training centre, a stadium for the women's team, affordable housing, and a hotel.
Wagner concluded by championing the stadium's environmental credentials, aiming for it to be "maybe the most environmentally sound stadium that will ever be built," and a multi-purpose hub for the entire city of Birmingham.
