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Matthew Pennington ticks two Birmingham City boxes amid transfer interest
Matthew Pennington has ticks in two of the most important boxes on Birmingham City’s transfer check-list.
The 28-year-old, who becomes a free agent at the end of his Shrewsbury Town contract on June 30, is among the defenders Blues are considering for their summer rebuild. There are a number of things which make Pennington an attractive option, none more so than his availability record in recent seasons.
Pennington has been virtually ever-present for Shrewsbury in the last two seasons, playing in 82 of their 92 League One games – and all bar one of those appearances have been starts. Since joining Salop on loan in January 2021, Pennington has accumulated 110 starts across all competitions.
John Eustace has spoken about Blues’ need to recruit players with the ability to go the distance in the Championship. While no player can guarantee 100 percent availability, Pennington is a better bet than most.
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He also ticks another one of Eustace’s boxes. The Shropshire Star’s Ollie Westbury explains: “He often operated on the right side of Town’s back three, a formation they stuck to for the majority of last season. At times when they did switch to a back four Pennington found himself playing at right back. I always felt he looked comfortable there too – but playing at centre-back is perhaps his stronger suit.”
Blues played the majority of last season with a three-man defence and Eustace is believed to still prefer the idea of playing a 3-5-2 formation. Pennington has spent a large part of his career – not just with Shrewsbury but with Everton and during various loan spells – operating in a back three.
Westbury added: “He is very much a defender first. Pennington is good one-on-one and he was rarely beaten throughout last season when a winger or forward ran at him. Although he is not huge in stature he is brilliant in the air, something you noticed more and more when he was out of the team towards the end of the season. He also offered a goal threat for Shrews, scoring six times from set pieces, with most of those goals coming before the end of January.
“Pennington was a really consistent performer for Shrewsbury last season, and he rarely put in a performance you would say was below six out of 10. He is whole-hearted and brave – and he reminds me a bit of Craig Dawson at Wolves as he will put his body on the line.
“Town did not play out from the back, they were quite direct, so how good he is on the ball might be something that could catch him out at a higher level – but I would say he would be a good addition for Blues.”
Pennington hasn’t played in the Championship since 2020, when he was part of a Hull City side that was relegated from the division. He was one of three Hull players hooked at half-time in his final game for the club as they suffered a chastening 8-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic.
He has rebuilt his confidence and career at Shrewsbury to become one of their most important players. Pennington capped an excellent final season with Shrewsbury by winning their Players’ Player of the Year award.
“He is a fan favourite at Shrewsbury, the majority of Salop fans are desperate to see him sign a new deal at the Meadow, but realise he is probably destined for bigger things,” said Westbury. “He is a humble, polite and honest lad and I think that is what endears him to the Shrewsbury fans. I hope he gets a good move – he deserves it.”
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