Blackburn Rovers will be well aware of Tony Mowbray’s fondness for reuniting with his former players.
Throughout his time as head coach at Ewood Park, Mowbray signed a number of players who had previously played under him elsewhere.
Those included the likes of Adam Armstrong, Richie Smallwood and Harry Chapman.
Since departing the Lancashire side, Mowbray has continued that trend, not least when he signed Bradley Dack for Sunderland, after his release from Blackburn Rovers.
Now at Birmingham City, it seems as though the 60-year-old could look to repeat that trick again in the summer.
According to reports from Alan Nixon, Mowbray is keen to sign goalkeeper Aynsley Pears for Blues from Blackburn Rovers, when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
That though, is something that the Ewood Park club cannot allow to happen. Here, we’ve taken a look at three reasons why that is the case.
Aynsley Pears starting to flourish
Mowbray signed Pears for Blackburn Rovers from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2020. Shortly after the completion of that deal, Mowbray described the goalkeeper as ‘quality’.
However, there was a wait to see proof of that at Ewood Park. Pears was second choice for much of his first three seasons with the club. When he did get his chance, he also looked shaky, and made a number of errors.
Since returning from an injury in January though, all that has changed. Recent weeks have seen the 25-year-old command his area with a new authority, while also making numerous stunning saves. That was topped of by an outstanding performance in this week’s FA Cup tie with Newcastle United. As a result, Blackburn Rovers can surely not afford to sell Pears, when they are just starting to get a return on their investment in him, as a key member of John Eustace‘s side.
Blackburn Rovers have no need to sell
Back in the summer, Pears signed a new long-term contract at Ewood Park. That is set to keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2026/27 season.
That of course, means there is no pressure on Blackburn Rovers to sell him anytime soon, to avoid the possibility of losing the goalkeeper on a free transfer.
It should also be noted that they still have the money from Adam Wharton’s club record sale to Crystal Palace in January to be spent in the summer. It is always likely that at that point, they will receive the sell-on clause they have in David Raya’s anticipated permanent move from Arsenal to Brentford. That will give those at Ewood Park plenty of cash to spend. As a result, there should be no need to sell Pears to raise funds for transfers either.
Don’t want to strengthen a rival
With both John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge out of contract at the end of this season, Birmingham City are going to need at least one new goalkeeper come the summer.
As a result, allowing them to sign someone like Pears at a time when he is coming towards a career peak, would be doing a big favour for a rival.
Birmingham City are just one point and two places behind Blackburn Rovers in the Championship table, With Mowbray in charge, those at Ewood Park know Blues also have a manager who can help them to progress, as he previously did with them. Given Blackburn Rovers themselves also want to do that, there is no point increasing someone else’s chances of success over their by selling them Pears, when there is no need for such a deal.