Birmingham City's midfield is an area that manager Chris Davies and the club's recruitment team must address this summer. The departure of Tommy Doyle, who returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers after his loan spell, has already left the department one player short. Doyle immediately rejoined Wolves training and could face Blues in the Championship next season.
Davies felt comfortable with his midfield options last summer, which is why Doyle was the only addition ahead of the club's return to the Championship. However, expectations have shifted regarding what a Blues midfielder should offer in this league. While Doyle possesses excellent technique, passing range, and set-piece delivery, he lacks the physicality that Davies now deems essential for a Championship engine room.
Jhon Solis: The Prototype Championship Midfielder
Jhon Solis embodies the qualities Davies seeks in a modern Championship midfielder. Standing at 6ft 2in, the Colombian is quick, robust, and comfortable on the ball. Davies has openly expressed his desire to sign Solis permanently from Girona, a club owned by the City Football Group.
“There won’t be many more physical sixes in the league,” Davies told BirminghamLive in April. “He’s a good size. When the game opens up a bit he can use his power. The challenge for him is to keep playing quickly, keep playing two touch, keep playing forward. There’s loads of growth there if he really wants to push on to the next level.”
Blues have been in regular contact with City Football Group to negotiate a deal, and there is understood to be an option that Blues can trigger. Solis will have the final say, and while his suitability to English football has attracted interest from other clubs, the 21-year-old appears content in the Second City. Blues hope he stays, as Solis is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Paik Seung-ho: A Key Figure
Paik Seung-ho remains a vital part of Blues' midfield under Davies. Last autumn, when Paik experienced a dip in form, Davies defended him publicly. “I’m a big, big believer in Paik, I think he gives us an awful lot and I think we’re a much better team with him in it,” Davies said after criticism following Bristol City’s winning goal at Ashton Gate.
Paik responded by scoring in consecutive games, and Davies reiterated his support: “Football is all about opinions but to think he had any critics for me is ludicrous. He’s an outstanding player.” Paik was the most-used midfielder by Davies and arguably the most effective, contributing four goals and one assist over the season.
The 29-year-old is set to represent South Korea at the World Cup this summer, with their final group game on June 25, around the time Blues return for pre-season. This means Paik will likely have little pre-season preparation, and he also requires shoulder surgery that could sideline him for up to three months.
Tomoki Iwata: A Versatile Option
Tomoki Iwata, who shifted between midfield and right-back, demonstrated his value in his preferred position late in the season. His combativeness is unmatched in Blues' midfield, particularly useful away from home. However, at home when Blues aim to dominate possession, Iwata's limitations on the ball become apparent compared to Solis or Paik.
Despite this, Iwata remains a valuable asset for specific situations and is likely to feature prominently under Davies again. Only captain Christoph Klarer played more Championship minutes than Iwata last season. However, the 29-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract, and his influence may diminish over time.
Marc Leonard: Long-Term Absence
Marc Leonard will miss the remainder of 2026 after rupturing his Achilles, ruling him out for next season. The 24-year-old was expected to move on this summer, with Celtic among the interested clubs following his impressive loan at Hearts, but that is now on hold. Leonard has two years left on his Blues contract, and his future at the club remains uncertain, but no decision is needed until at least January.
Kanya Fujimoto: A Forgotten Man
Japanese playmaker Kanya Fujimoto endured a forgettable season. Signed on a three-year deal from Gil Vicente, he played just 45 minutes of Championship football across five substitute appearances. For context, Alfons Sampsted, deemed surplus to requirements last summer, played 209 minutes before leaving in January.
Blues would have allowed Fujimoto to leave in January had a buyer emerged, and Davies will not block his departure this summer. Whether things would have changed if Fujimoto had taken a chance against Leeds is doubtful; Davies never gave him a proper opportunity. We must trust the manager's judgment based on training ground observations, which differed from the data-driven recruitment team's assessment.
What Needs to Happen?
Signing Solis is understandably Blues' priority and should be the first of three midfield additions this summer. A technician to compete with Paik and complement Solis or Iwata is also needed, but the player must be suited to the Championship. Sunderland's Dan Neil, soon to be a free agent, should be a target for any team aiming for the top of the Championship.
Further forward, Blues require a number 10 capable of unlocking defenses. Davies preferred two strikers last season, but there were times when an attacking midfielder's guile was necessary. Jay Stansfield, who primarily played in the 10 role, is developing that aspect of his game, but the 23-year-old is more comfortable running onto through balls than playing them.
