Birmingham City’s new strikers haven’t found their feet in the Championship yet
Birmingham City reporter for BirminghamLive and the Birmingham Mail
There are big question marks hanging over the two strikers Birmingham City placed their bets on during the summer transfer window.
Blues almost broke the internet when they confirmed the signing of Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi in July. The 30-year-old famed for his goal-scoring in Scotland with Celtic was expected to flourish in the Championship.
The signing of Marvin Ducksch – a Germany international with 90-odd goal contributions in four years at Werder Bremen – also looked very promising on paper.
But there hasn’t been much to show from either in practice. Kyogo is still waiting for his first goal in the Championship having missed more ‘big chances’ than any other player in the league.
Ducksch, meanwhile, has been blighted by injuries having joined Blues with an exemplary injury record.
Had Jay Stansfield stopped scoring and Lyndon Dykes not provided two late winners, Chris Davies’ patience with Kyogo and Ducksch might be wearing a little thin at this point.
There is pressure on the duo to start making an impact in the Championship – and that is exactly what Oli McBurnie has done for this weekend’s opponents Hull City.
McBurnie was tentatively linked with Blues before opting for Hull when his contract at Las Palmas ended during the summer.
Given his previous in the Championship, it was no surprise that second tier sides other than Hull looked at McBurnie.
The Tigers snapped him up and McBurnie has repaid them with six goals and three assists in his opening nine league games.
McBurnie has contributed to 60 percent of the Tigers’ 14 goals in the league thus far, making him one of the most important players to any Championship club.
At 29, McBurnie is slightly younger than Kyogo, 30, and Ducksch, 31, and his Championship experience has allowed him to hit the ground running.
Blues – and a multitude of other Championship clubs – might regret not pursuing McBurnie more aggressively during the summer if he continues to carry Hull on his shoulders.
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