Another Imp Poised For Loan Exit

We expected Hakeeb Adelakun to leave the club this winter, and it seems the other player who we expected to go is set for a move.

It’s being reported north of the border that Jaden Brown is making the move to St Mirren of the Scottish Premier League. The 25-year-old was signed this summer following his release from Sheffield Wednesday, but it’s fair to say he hasn’t made an impression and has been missing in recent weeks.

The Daily Record suggest that he’s moving north of the border to help The Buddies in their push for European football. I’ll leave that there.

Not all transfers work and I think it’s fair to say that Jaden Brown’s move to City has not been a success. With his pedigree – starting life as a Spurs prospect – I expected big things on the left side of defence, but it just didn’t happen. He might argue a lack of chances, but when he has been thrown into the side, there’s not a whole lot for us to talk about.

I feel a bit for Jaden. I get the impression he is a confidence player, and in the hours after the Notts County game in the EFL Trophy, he sent me a personal message, disagreeing with my assertion he’d struggled in the game. It gave me the impression of a player who wanted to do well so desperately that as soon as he came off the field, he checked supporter reaction. I might be wrong, but part of me identified with that need for validation.

There’s no doubt Brown has talent, but it just hasn’t worked out here. It’s funny, in a week where the accounts have dominated, to contrast Harry Toffolo and Tayo Edun, two left-backs who have made big headlines and earned us fees, with Jamie Robson and Jaden Brown now hitting the news as well.

There’s no guarantee that Brown is going – I’ve had nothing under embargo from the club and am only reporting what papers in Scotland are saying, but it does seem like his time with City is coming to a temporary end. The big question is this – will he be back? I imagine Ali Smith will be back; I haven’t ruled out seeing him in a City shirt again, but Jaden Brown?

It would surprise me.