Birmingham City wasted no time in making their presence known in the summer transfer window. They made some big signings as they flexed their financial muscle on the rise back to the Championship.
There were some shrewd permanent additions and smart loan signings. However, the headline name was Kyogo Furuhashi, who arrived from Stade Rennais in a deal worth up to £10m.
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
Given Furuhashi’s success with Celtic and in his native Japan, there was confidence he could be a big hit for BCFC as he looked to bounce back from a tough stay in France. Unfortunately though, things have not gone as planned for the 30-year-old.
After some time, it has become clear who figures in Chris Davies’ strongest Birmingham City frontline, and it does not include their big-money striker.
Birmingham City’s first-choice frontline as Kyogo Furuhashi watches on
As expected, Furuhashi came straight into the Birmingham City starting XI. He was named in Davies’ lineup for the first four games of the Championship campaign, and he experienced some early misfortune in his search for a first league goal.
Since those first four games though, Furuhashi has started just once more in the league, and he is still yet to score his first goal in the second tier. He bagged in the Carabao Cup win over Sheffield United, and that remains his only Blues goal to date.
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
BCFC are yet to get really firing on a consistent basis in the final third, but Davies has seemingly found his strongest front four. Demarai Gray and Patrick Roberts operate on the left and right, and Jay Stansfield plays off striker Marvin Ducksch centrally.
This setup has been successful for the attacking quartet. It has yielded individual returns, even if team performances have not been there.
Birmingham City’s favoured frontline – 2025/26 stats
It leaves Furuhashi effectively reduced to a substitute role, and his impact has been limited. His all-round play has been promising, but he has not shown the finishing ability to be considered a starter for a promotion-chasing side yet and he does not have the physicality of Ducksch to offer enough beyond scoring.
The German’s link-up with Stansfield has been impressive on the whole.
Still time for Kyogo Furuashi to come good at St. Andrew’s
A sizeable fee was spent on Furuhashi, and he is under contract until 2028. Don’t expect Davies and Birmingham City to give up on him any time soon, as he has shown just how good he can be at his best at Celtic.
The busy festive schedule should bring rotation, and that offers opportunities. Furuhashi simply has to take them though, otherwise Stansfield and Ducksch’s roles in the attack are under little threat.
It could take just one goal to get the monkey of his back and get confidence flowing. If that can happen, the Japan international can still have a key role to play.
Until that comes true though, Furuhashi faces an uphill battle getting his place back.