Chris Davies didn’t need long—just 146 minutes of Championship action—to recognize that Jhon Solis is exactly the kind of player Birmingham City needs to thrive in English football.
The Colombian midfielder made an instant impact with two substitute appearances against Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke, earning Davies’s trust to start alongside Paik Seung-ho in midfield during last weekend’s clash at Oxford.
Solis delivered a commanding Man of the Match performance, dominating tackles and driving Birmingham’s play forward with sharp, incisive passing.
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Signed on loan from Girona—Manchester City’s sister club—Solis was always expected to fit seamlessly into Birmingham’s possession-based style of play. Davies confirms, “He can play. Having come from Girona, he understands build-up and possession play very well. He’s up to speed with the tactical requirements of his position, including body shape and movement.”
Davies acknowledges that consistency can be a challenge for young players but emphasizes his role in continuing Solis’s development. “He’s still owned by the City Group, who want him to gain experience and improve here. My hope is that he helps us become a better team and boosts the club’s success. It’s a win-win.”
While Paik and Tommy Doyle excel on the ball, Solis brings a unique physical presence to Birmingham’s midfield. Standing 6ft 1in, his strength and aggression provide the engine room with extra steel, a difference that was evident at the Kassam Stadium last weekend.
Davies adds, “The physical demands of English football will suit him. He has the legs, the strength, and isn’t afraid to get stuck in or win aerial battles. He’s got all the off-the-ball attributes we value. I’m impressed by his qualities—he has the raw material to succeed here without any doubt.”