Claridge says Birmingham City need star striker for Premier League bid

May 31 2009 by Andy Walker, Sunday Mercury

Former Birmingham City striker Steve Claridge insists that there’s one signing that Alex McLeish has to get right this summer – a goal-grabbing centre-forward.

Big Eck is currently looking to rebuild his team in time for their return to the Premier League and defenders are his top priority. However McLeish has also previously admitted that he’s looking to bring a talismanic forward, in the mould of former Blues hero Christophe Dugarry, to the club to spearhead their bid for top-flight survival.

Claridge, who scored 35 goals in 88 appearances for Blues between 1994 and 1996, believes that a clinical poacher in front of goal is a must if McLeish wants to stave off relegation.

The boss won’t be flush with cash this summer, his budget is believed to be in the range of £10 to £15-million, so he will have to spread his finances around carefully.

Claridge says there will be no margin for error when it comes to the signing that is likely to command the biggest fee – a new striker.

“Birmingham definitely need to improve things at the back by adding a bit more pace but the most important thing is that they are going to have to have someone who is going to get them between 10 to 15 goals next season,” said Claridge, who now works as a television, radio and newspaper pundit.

“They’ve got to get the big signing right. If you’re spending money, then the biggest percentage of that is likely to go on a forward, so it’s crucial that you get that right.

“Of course, they’ve got to make a few changes throughout the team but if they get that goal-scorer, then I think they will stay up. We’ve seen enough dross this season near the bottom of the Premier League and it’s amazing how some of the poor teams were still in with a chance of staying up almost right to the end.