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Birmingham City boss Chris Davies has one selection issue to work out ahead of their Championship opener against Ipswich Town.
Birmingham City will face off against Ipswich Town in their 2025/26 Championship season opener, where they will hope to continue their upward trajectory.
Last season saw Birmingham City notch a record-breaking League One title-winning season under Chris Davies, and following a flurry of transfer activity, there is every expectation that the Blues can hold aspirations of a play-off finish, at the least.
Such transfer dealings have seen Davies’ side bolstered across the pitch, with Demarai Gray notably joining, whilst Tommy Doyle has also signed on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Kyogo Furuhashi has also joined following a move from Ligue 1 side Rennes – and such a move is set to give Davies a difficult decision ahead of the clash against the Tractor Boys.
Birmingham City boss Chris Davies set for headache over striker selection
The signing of Kyogo Furuhashi was brilliantly received by Birmingham City fans, and there is every expectation that he can show the quality he produced during an electric spell in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic.
However, as the upcoming season looms, there is no certainty regarding his game time and how he will fit into Chris Davies’ side because of Blues talisman Jay Stansfield.
Stansfield played a crucial role in Birmingham’s promotion last season, alongside fellow striker Alfie May, who has since joined League One side Huddersfield Town.
It is likely that Davies will utilise a one-striker formation, which could leave doubt as to who he will favour for the opening day against Ipswich, as well as throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Kyogo Furuhashi showed immense quality at Celtic
After last season, many Birmingham City fans would understandably label Jay Stansfield as undroppable – the Blues forward scored a catalogue of goals, and has proven experience in the Championship.
However, Kyogo Furuhashi has also shown his quality previously, having scored 85 goals and notched 19 assists in 165 Celtic appearances. Of those, three were in the Champions League, including a famous finish in a 2-2 draw against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
As a fast, unpredictable, and fiery forward, it would be incredibly difficult for Chris Davies to leave Furuhashi out of the starting side against Ipswich Town, and he should look towards squeezing him in in some fashion.