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Demarai Gray has more than lived up to Birmingham City fans’ expectations since returning this summer.
One of the Blues’ marquee signings this window, the forward reunited with his boyhood club in July, nine years after he departed for Leicester City to win the Premier League with the Foxes.
While Birmingham fans were thrilled by their homegrown talent’s return, Gray’s ability to return to the Championship was questioned by outsiders, with his spell in Saudi Arabia after his Everton exit in 2023 and his goal contributions record causing concern.
However, the St Andrew’s faithful have been more than satisfied with how Gray has performed, and one key stat from his opening three league appearances since his return show he’s proving the doubters wrong.
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Demarai Gray beats Jay Stansfield and Kyogo Furuhashi’s expected goals and assists stats
Gray has started every Championship game so far this season for Chris Davies’ side, grabbing one assist in the dramatic, last minute 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers. He also set up Kyogo Furuhashi’s first ever Birmingham goal in their 2-1 League Cup victory over Sheffield United.
Ethan Laird also has one league assist so far. Jay Stansfield has scored two Championship goals and Paik Seung-Ho and Lyndon Dykes have one each.
Despite the other players’ contributions, it’s Gray who has recorded the highest expected goals and assists out of the Blues stars this season in the league clashes.
After the opening three second tier games, the 29-year-old has an expected goals and assists score of 1.6. He also has the highest expected number of assists with a rating of 1.4.
The closest score to Gray’s comes from Kyogo Furuhashi, who has earned a 1.3. Stansfield comes in third with a rating of 1.0.
Stats don’t always tell the full story, but in this situation it just supporters what Blues fans have seen for themselves in the flesh.
Gray’s work rate and pace has stood out and he’s skinned a number of full-backs during games already, as well as playing a huge part in creating his side’s goals.
Birmingham’s chiefs and fans alike will be pleased he’s shining and will be backing him to play a huge role in their Championship campaign.
Chris Davies could play Liverpool loanee to rest Demarai Gray for Carabao Cup clash
Birmingham will want to make a statement and beat Leicester this weekend, so keeping their best players fit and ready will be a priority.
Unlike the first round win against the Blades, Davies could make some wholesale changes to his XI, which will likely see stars such as Gray rested.
One player who could benefit from this is new Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas. The 19-year-old has joined on a season-long deal in the hunt for some first team football.
The second round Carabao Cup game against Port Vale at St Andrew’s could be the perfect opportunity for him to get introduced to the team and show he can be a suitable back up moving forward.