Birmingham City could sign "special" star who'd be Kyogo's dream winger
da betcris： It’s been a very long time now since Birmingham City last called the Premier League home.
da cassino： Indeed, it will have been a drawn-out 15 seasons this coming Championship campaign since the Blues were miserably relegated from the top-flight in 2011, but the aim will be to get back to this level very soon, with it not being the wildest shout in the world to tip Chris Davies’ confident group for back-to-back promotions immediately.
Adding exciting attackers such as Kyogo Furuhashi will do these wild aims no harm, as the new £10m signing prepares to cause Championship defences all sorts of havoc this coming season.
How Kyogo could take the Championship by storm
The Japanese forward has already tasted top-flight action in the United Kingdom previously.
Indeed, the 30-year-old attacker lit up the Scottish Premiership with plenty of menacing performances as a ruthless star up top, leading to Kyogo bowing out from his successful spell in Glasgow with a mighty 85 goals and 19 assists attached to his name.
Whilst some might question the competitiveness of Scottish’s top-flight next to the demands of the EFL’s elite league, it is clear that Kyogo is a red-hot goal machine on his day, with that electric form in the bread and butter of league action for Celtic also being seen on Europe’s grandest stage in the Champions League.
Three strikes have come the brand-new Birmingham attacker’s way in such a revered competition, meaning he should be able to take to the pressures of the second-tier in his stride.
It will all be down to the relationships he forms at St. Andrew’s, though, with Kyogo very much a poacher-like presence in attack – as seen in his minuscule average of just 16.9 touches during the 23/24 season in the Scottish top-flight – but that season would still see him bag a venomous 14 league strikes.
Therefore, he will want to bounce off an exciting partner willing to put chances on a plate for him, with another potential incoming acting as the dream winger for the lethal 30-year-old to work alongside.
The "special" star who could be Kyogo's dream winger
Whilst Birmingham have played it a bit safe by signing Championship-proven talents this summer, with both Demarai Gray and Tommy Doyle well-versed in the tricks of the trade at the level, splashing out £10m on Kyogo does show that the Blues are willing to be risky with their moves this summer.
The next risky play on the end of the newly promoted side could be to explore the Eredivisie again, having been successful going down this route in the not-so-distant past when snapping up Willum Thor Willumsson, as Sontje Hansen now reportedly comes back onto their agenda.
It’s clear by watching this rapid breakaway goal by Hansen that he could go on to be a joy to watch at St. Andrew’s if all slots into place, but it is being reported now that both Middlesbrough and Wrexham are also keen on the NEC Nijmegen ace.
If the Blues are after a tricky and slick attacker to complement Kyogo’s clinical nature, they should look to jump to the front of the queue to land him.
Described as a “special” player by his former U17 coach Peter Van De Veen, the winger has registered glowing numbers across his last two Dutch top-flight seasons, showing off a forward player who is equally deadly in front of goal, whilst also possessing an unselfish side to tee up teammates.
Hansen’s Eredivisie numbers (23/24) + (24/25)
Stat
Hansen (23/24)
Hansen (24/25)
Games played
33
31
Goals scored
6
6
Assists
4
4
Big chances missed
4
2
Big chances created
7
7
Stats by Sofascore
Looking at the table above, the Dutchman has been very consistent for Nijimegen across their last two league campaigns, with 20 goal contributions coming his way.
Yet, if he were surrounded by a better quality teammate, such as Kyogo, feeding off his chances, those numbers might well increase, with only eight assists being tallied up, despite 14 big chances being created overall.
Hansen might well also fancy the chance of proving himself in England, having once been on the radar of Leeds United, as the lightning-quick attacker and Kyogo potentially join forces to help Birmingham shine in the Championship.
Related Birmingham City could sign "special" star who's even better than Doyle
Tommy Doyle could have competition in the midfield spots at Birmingham City if this star is also signed.