Speculation is mounting that Leeds United will prise Birmingham City starlet George Hall away from St Andrew's in the January transfer window. While Blues manager John Eustace continues to suggest Hall is "going nowhere" mid-season, many do believe that Jesse Marsch and his staff will have a new weapon at his disposal for the second half of the Whites' Premier League campaign.
In the wake of all the recent interest drummed up in the youngster, many are also interested in how quickly he's managed to reach such a high level of football at such a young age.
Having come up through the Birmingham academy, in a similar path to England international and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, Hall has impressed in his limited minutes so far this season. Those who taught him growing up are perhaps the only ones not surprised by his rapid rise to stardom.
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One of his former teachers at St Bede’s Catholic Middle School in Redditch, Matt Russell, told Birmingham Live that he always recognised Hall would be a standout.
"He had been in the Blues academy for about two or three years by the time he came to us," he said. "At one point we had five academy players in that year group but it was probably him and another lad that stood out to be honest – and they are the two that have gone on to get professional contracts.
"But George was head and shoulders above. There are academy kids and there are academy kids. Technically he was just so good. We played 3-5-2, with a holding midfield player and Charlie and George in front and they created havoc. Opposition just couldn’t get to grips with either of them.
"He was physically and technically dominant. He was a complete player, there was nothing he couldn’t do. He would track back well, he would pressure well, he was quick over a few yards, he could spot a pass, his touch was generally good – right foot better than left if we are going to be picky – but he was just such a good player.
"He was one of the youngest in the year as well, he is a July birthday and normally those kids are a bit lightweight or playing catch-up when they are in middle school. It’s probably when they get to 15-16 that they do catch up but George never had that issue. He was a big strong kid, a talented athlete who was really good at rugby as well."
Russell continues, explaining that he had high expectations for Hall to make it to the level he's playing at now. However, what he didn't expect was how quickly the youngster managed to make it there at the age of just 17.
"It’s no surprise to me he’s playing Championship football," he said. "The speed of it has surprised me, I probably didn’t expect him to be playing at that level at 17. I just hope he can kick on now and keep going because he has got the start he needs.
"He is lucky the manager has shown a bit of faith in young lads, it’s not just him a few of the others are playing. He will certainly cope in the Championship and Premier League I think, it’s just getting up to the speed and physicality of it.
"I am still in touch with his parents, his dad sent me a video of him playing over in Denmark with England a few weeks ago, I even watch Blues TV and I am not a Birmingham City fan! But it’s very rare kids you have taught make it like that."
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