Birmingham City faces a critical summer in reshaping its midfield after Tommy Doyle’s swift return to Wolves left the squad one player light. Doyle’s loan ended abruptly, and with him back at Wolves, there is a strong possibility he could play against Blues in the upcoming Championship season.
Last summer, Chris Davies was confident in the midfield, adding only Doyle as Blues returned to the Championship. Yet, expectations for midfielders in the league have evolved—now placing a premium on physicality alongside technical skill. Doyle, known for his exceptional technique, passing, and set-piece delivery, lacks the robust presence Davies deems essential for the Championship’s demanding engine room.
Leading the way in embodying the modern Championship midfielder is Jhon Solis. Standing at 6ft 2in, fast, strong, and comfortable with the ball, Solis is exactly the type of player Davies wants back at St Andrew’s permanently. The Blues manager praised Solis’ physicality and ball usage, highlighting his potential for growth if he continues to play with pace and forward intent. Negotiations with City Football Group, owners of Solis’s parent club Girona, are ongoing, with Blues holding an option to trigger his return. Although other clubs are aware of his talent, Solis appears happy in Birmingham—a key positive for Blues as they look to secure his services.
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Paik Seung-ho remains a vital player in Davies’ midfield setup. Despite some critics following a dip in form, Davies staunchly defended him, valuing his contributions highly. Paik ended the season as the most utilized and arguably the most effective midfielder with four goals and one assist. Looking ahead, Paik faces challenges, including a shoulder surgery that could sideline him for up to three months. Additionally, his participation in the World Cup with South Korea may impact his preseason availability.
Tomoki Iwata, who transitioned from midfielder to right-back and back, demonstrated his importance late in the season, offering the combative edge the Blues rely on. While not as skillful in possession as Solis or Paik, his physical commitment and versatility make him an asset, and he is expected to feature prominently again next term. However, with just one year left on his contract, his long-term influence may decline.
Marc Leonard’s ruptured Achilles has ruled him out for the rest of 2026, putting a halt to his expected summer move—possibly to Celtic after a standout loan spell at Hearts. At 24, Leonard has two years left on his contract but will need time to recover before considering his future with Blues.
Japanese playmaker Kanya Fujimoto endured a frustrating season, limited to just 45 minutes over five substitute appearances. Despite signing a three-year deal from Gil Vicente, Fujimoto failed to stake a claim and was nearly allowed to leave in January. Davies appears ready to let the player move on this summer if a suitor emerges, reflecting a clear gap between expectations and performance.
Looking ahead, signing Solis must be a priority. The club plans at least two more midfield additions: a technical midfielder who can compete with Paik and complement either Solis or Iwata, and an attacking playmaker—a number 10 capable of unlocking stubborn defenses. Last season’s strategy favored two strikers, but at times, a creative midfielder was sorely missed. Jay Stansfield, who mainly operated in the number 10 role, is developing his playmaking but naturally excels as a forward.
With a few key signings and injuries behind them, Birmingham City’s midfield rebuild under Davies is well underway but will require calculated reinforcements to thrive in the coming Championship campaign.