Birmingham City teenager Brandon Khela has a bright future ahead of him, according to manager Chris Davies | Football News

Brandon Khela has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the 12 months since his historic debut for Birmingham City as an 18-year-old.

The Punjab teenager became the first British South Asian player to represent the men’s first team at senior level after being brought on as a substitute by former manager John Eustace in last season’s 2-0 EFL Cup first round win over Cheltenham Town.

It was a debut the midfielder had to wait patiently for, 18 months after first making the bench at Birmingham City for an away game against Stoke City under then manager Lee Bowyer.

The Blues have their third manager since Eustace Khela made his debut, with Chris Davies arriving at the Blues in June, after Sky Sports News exclusively revealed that he was the favourite for the vacancy at St Andrew’s.

Davies, who has a track record of nurturing talent having worked under Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou in recent years, says he has been pleased with what he has seen from Khela so far.

“Very good,” Davies said to Sky Sports News, when asked what impression Khela has made on him during the pre-season.

“He was on loan to Scotland last season and I was impressed with him during pre-season. He is big, physically strong and technically strong.

“He’s a midfielder, but I’ve also played him as a right back (sometimes during pre-season). That’s not his real position, but he’s good tactically, so he understands what he has to do.

“He’s a very good prospect. He might take a loan at some point to develop further, but I’m very impressed with him – and I think he has a bright future.”

Dhanda: Khela is hardworking and humble

Khela joined Ross County for the second half of last season, taking over the number 19 shirt from Dingwall, with the move completed a day before his 19th birthday.

The loan saw Khela play alongside Yan Dhanda and subsequently make history at Celtic Park when the two players faced Celtic. It was the first time in SPFL history that the two British South Asians had played together in a match.

“It was great to have someone of the same ethnicity playing with me because I don’t think anything like that has happened before,” said Dhanda, who has since joined Hearts. Sky Sports News.

“I just think he’s a great player. He’s at Birmingham now, he’s still young and I just hope he gets opportunities because he’s very good, very talented, he works very hard and he’s humble.

“Brandon just needs the manager to throw him in, and he just needs the game time to show what he can do. At Ross County, in daily training, he showed how good he is and I can’t wait to see him play.”

Khela is a popular figure among Birmingham City fans, and particularly among Blues supporters of South Asian background.

Speaking with Sky Sports News Last year, his Sikh-Punjabi colleague Micky Singh said: “I have been a Blues fan for over 60 years and have waited a very long time to see a Punjabi boy come up here at Birmingham City Football Club.

“From a representative perspective, seeing his performances on the pitch will give hope to many ambitious youngsters who want to take the path to professional football.”

‘More that unites us than divides us’

Blues fans and locals showed their commitment to social cohesion earlier this week, following the recent civil and racial unrest that has swept large parts of the country, including the West Midlands.

Birmingham FC’s Official Supporters Club (OSC) came together to show their appreciation for the owners’ multi-million dollar investment in the football club and to give back to the community around St Andrew’s by cleaning up the area around the stadium and surrounding area and picking up litter.

Dozens of OSC members were assisted in the clean-up effort by supporters, community leaders and representatives of local places of worship.

OSC Chairman Sukh Singh said Sky Sports News: “We all support our club, our country and our city. There is more that unites us than divides us as Blues fans – and we are proud of our team, our stadium and our neighbourhood

“Everyone showed true British values. We are ready to face any adversity head on. It was a huge success and I am proud to call myself a Brummie.”

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British South Asians in Football

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