Birmingham City identified a clear need for an old-fashioned target man in January, and August Priske immediately stood out as the ideal candidate. The Danish striker attracted significant attention after finishing as the top scorer in the Swedish Allsvenskan for Djurgarden, netting 18 goals in 27 matches, but it was the Blues who ultimately won his heart.
Having heart is essential to becoming a favorite at St Andrew's, but it is what Priske is doing with his head that is earning him popularity among supporters and manager Chris Davies alike. The 22-year-old has embraced a specific brief from Davies: to occupy center-backs, compete aerially, and bring his attacking teammates into play. Over the last five games, Priske has played every minute and delivered exactly what has been asked of him, winning an impressive 38 aerial duels.
Blues have not had a striker who imposes himself in this manner since Lukas Jutkiewicz was grappling with Championship center-backs in his prime. Jutkiewicz, now part of the club's recruitment team, offered his opinion to Davies before the club splashed out £6 million on Priske. "When we signed him, we looked a lot at his size, his technical ability, and the goals he had scored. He just seemed like a perfect fit for being a really good striker at this level," Davies told BirminghamLive. "I spoke to Jukey at length about him. Jukey is a really big fan, and he knows his way around the Championship better than anyone. We all felt that we have a player with real potential. He has to learn quickly, and he has been doing that. I would hope that next season, with some downtime, gym work, and work on his game, he can be a real threat."
A Modern-Day Number Nine
Davies emphasized that every Championship team has a bigger reference striker. "You can go through every team, and they have one, more so now than ever because of the way teams press man to man. You need that. He is set up for the modern game. Even when you look at the two best teams in the country and what they have up front, he is the modern-day number nine that can be really effective."
Another noticeable difference between Priske and Marvin Ducksch, whom he has replaced in the starting XI, is the Dane's running power. Priske fits the typical Scandinavian center-forward mold, reminiscent of Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, and Rasmus Hojlund, all of whom combine size with speed. Pressing is non-negotiable for Davies, and Priske has made Blues more effective in that regard. "Sometimes you get them, and I am always reluctant to play a big 6ft 5in striker that cannot run because then you cannot press, and that is not how I want it to look," added Davies. "To get one that is a big size, can head it, but can actually run and move helps us be a proactive pressing team."
Goals on the Horizon
The only thing missing for Priske in the last five games has been a goal, but crucially, chances have started to fall for the striker. Priske had a couple of big opportunities against Preston before hitting the post in Saturday's win over Bristol City. Slipped in by Jay Stansfield, Priske cleverly dinked the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper Radek Vitek and was just inches away from his first goal in England. Seasoned strikers would confirm that was the right shot selection, and it demonstrated his technique. An expected goals (xG) of 2.87 from 821 Championship minutes is also quite encouraging.
"That was the progression," said Davies. "He looked a goal threat. He has had everything else in his game apart from looking a goal threat. He has added that. I have been pleased with him. He is learning that you do not always get free-kicks, and he is using his body a lot because we are using him as that reference striker. I had lunch with his Danish under-21 coach, Lars Knudsen, and we talked a lot about his development, where he has come from, and where he is going. The future for him is bright. There is still a lot of growth and learning to be done, but he has helped us simplify our game. When we were quite low in confidence as a team, he helped us transform that by the way he plays and the way we have used him."
Intelligence and Preparation
Learning should not be an issue for Priske. During a lengthy interview at Blues' training ground in February, his intelligence and ability to think for himself shone through. He also has a good understanding of the game, given that his father, Brian Priske, was a Denmark international turned manager. Between a trip to Las Vegas, where Priske is holidaying this summer, and whatever else he has planned, the youngster will prepare properly for next season.
"His dad is a manager, and he is in tune with the life and what is expected," explained Davies. "Everything I have told him, he will try to do it. He is young, but it is about using his strengths: how he attacks the second post on crosses, the movements he makes to receive the ball, and all the defensive stuff. He is like Jay; he will do exactly what you say. We have a player there. We are going to need a bit more time to get him up to full speed, I think, but I am hoping next season he can really show more."
