Birmingham City had statistically the fifth best defence in last season’s Championship, but it did not always feel that way. There were four heavy away defeats that fans will not want to recall, and the team kept only 10 clean sheets in their 46 league games. Contributing to a defensive performance that looked better on paper than in reality was a series of changes that manager Chris Davies did not want to make.
Right-Backs
It is strange to think that a midfielder by trade was Blues’ first-choice right-back for more than half of the season when actual right-backs were available. Tomoki Iwata reinvented a role that Davies placed great emphasis on in his first 18 months. Iwata overlapped willingly, though with less pace than Ethan Laird or Bright Osayi-Samuel, but his ability to invert gave Blues tactical flexibility. His relentless running was an asset. On the rare occasions Osayi-Samuel was used during the Iwata-at-right-back era, the Nigerian struggled to match his teammate’s omnipresence. In early April, Davies redefined Iwata as ‘a right-back who can play in midfield’, and since then Iwata has only played in midfield. Osayi-Samuel has taken over at right-back to reasonably good effect, using his physicality and recovery speed to trouble Championship wingers. He has also struck up a partnership with right-winger Carlos Vicente. Laird, remarkably, started only three league games at right-back last season, having not blossomed when paired with Vicente. The position seems well stocked for whichever style Davies chooses: a more physical approach suits Osayi-Samuel, while an expansive game favours Laird.
Centre-Backs
Christoph Klarer had four different partners at centre-back in 2025/26, which is not healthy. Davies was not sold on Phil Neumann early on, dropping him after five league games for Jack Robinson. Robinson had plenty going for him on paper: a fixture in a Sheffield United side that challenged near the top of the Championship and a recent promotion. However, Robinson turned 32 on the day his transfer was rushed through at the end of the summer window. He is less athletic than Neumann, and the balance of having a left-footer next to Klarer never outweighed what Blues lost. Two red cards, an own goal, and an inexcusable handball to concede a penalty against his former club in March mean Robinson has not endeared himself to supporters. He was the only player not to attend the club’s awards dinner, possibly trying to read the room. Jonathan Panzo offered a left foot and athleticism for two matches before displaying the inconsistencies that have hindered his regular playing time in the Championship at age 25. It would be a shock if Panzo is not released when his contract ends in June. The return of Neumann, at a time when Davies had stopped insisting on playing out from the back, was timely. Neumann has never been a ball-playing centre-back; in Bundesliga II, teams would often allow him to have the ball and press his teammates instead. He has proven to be a competent defender with the physical tools to compete against the Championship’s most powerful centre-forwards. There is no reason why Neumann should not start next season if Blues do not insist on playing out from the back.
Left-Backs
The term three’s a crowd really applies here, and it is no one’s fault. Blues have three very capable Championship left-backs, meaning one must go. Kai Wagner has earned his teammates’ trust quickly and has edged ahead of Alex Cochrane. Wagner deserves to start next season as first choice. Cochrane is a dependable deputy and settled into the Championship after some difficult early days. That leaves Lee Buchanan, who arguably has the highest ceiling of all three, but his recent injury record cannot be overlooked. Buchanan has excelled defensively in the Championship and deserves an opportunity to impress in pre-season. From there, Blues must whittle three down to two, and the likelihood is that Buchanan will be the fall guy.
What Work Is There to Do?
Let us start with Buchanan. He has played only four games in the last two seasons, having started last season with calf issues before suffering an ACL injury that has ruled him out since 2024. The 25-year-old has two years remaining on his contract, so there is no pressure to sell. A loan for the first half of the season to get Buchanan back up and running would be ideal. On paper, that is all Blues need to do in the full-back positions barring any exits. It is in the middle of Blues’ defence where improvements are needed. Klarer and Neumann will make up two of next season’s quartet, but upgrades on Panzo and Robinson are required. Robinson has 12 months remaining on his contract, meaning Blues would have to find a taker, so there are no guarantees he will move on. The priority signing has to be, as it was last summer and in January, a left-sided centre-back to complement Klarer and Neumann. Blues do not necessarily need two, but they definitely need one—the right one this time.
