Christoph Klarer has expressed his pride in teammate Phil Neumann for stepping up and solidifying Birmingham City’s defence during their first season back in the Championship. Despite a rocky start and being dropped three times by manager Chris Davies, Neumann ended the campaign on a high note, earning his place as Klarer’s preferred centre-back partner heading into pre-season.
The Klarer-Neumann partnership has brought more consistent results than other defensive combinations tried by Davies. As Neumann approaches his 29th birthday this summer, there is a growing belief within the Blues squad that he has truly adapted to the demands of Championship football.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by new arrivals in the English league, Klarer said, “With all the new boys, I think getting to know the Championship is difficult. It’s unique, it’s so physical, so brutal. You don’t get fouls. Especially with the foreign boys, you can see that it takes a bit of time to adjust.”
READ MORE: DWP Urged to Cut Payments for 660,000 Claimants Amid ‘Moral Crisis’
READ MORE: Masked Teenager Jailed for Dudley Machete Attack in Money Dispute
Klarer commended Neumann’s professionalism throughout the season, whether in or out of the starting lineup. “Phil has always applied himself in the best manner. For him to get that reward now and play the way he’s played in the last few weeks, he’s really happy and I’m very proud of what he’s done this year. It’s not easy coming over from abroad and I’m sure he’ll want to kick on next year.”
Manager Davies’s rotations were partly influenced by his desire to play Klarer in his favored right centre-back position. Consequently, Klarer spent most of his first Championship season playing on the left to accommodate Neumann. However, Klarer welcomed the change, seeing it as an opportunity for growth.
“I’ve always said to him (manager) I’m going to play where you need me to play. Wherever is going to help the team the most,” he said. “It is different playing on the left than on the right but that gives me something to improve. It doesn’t make a difference to me playing on the left or the right, I only want the team to win and if the team wins then I’m happy.”
Fresh off winning Birmingham City’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season, the 6ft 4in centre-back reflected on the step up to the Championship and the team’s 10th-place finish. “The physicality was the same in League One, I think this year there’s just better individual players and that’s been the biggest difference,” Klarer explained. “For me, you’ve got really good attacking players. The gaffer has said about how good the wingers are in this league.”
Klarer continued, “The physicality has always been there, that’s just the nature of the English game. This year what we’ve seen is there are some real, real high quality players playing in this league. We’ve got the same. I think we’ve got some really good players at this level and it’s just about adjusting to the league.”