As Birmingham City set their sights on a return to the Premier League in the 2025–26 season, the club is building under new manager Chris Davies with both purpose and precision. Among the most intriguing potential signings linked to this revival is Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi, a player whose mix of relentless energy, intelligent movement and clinical finishing could offer something truly transformative to the squad at St Andrew’s.
Currently out of favour at Rennes after a quiet spell in Ligue 1, Kyogo is reportedly seeking regular football to reignite his form ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A move to the Championship might initially seem a step down for a player with Champions League experience and multiple domestic trophies at Celtic – but under the right manager and system, it could be the perfect context for a resurgence. Few managers know Kyogo better than Chris Davies, who was part of the backroom team during Kyogo’s electric rise in Glasgow. That familiarity may be the key to unlocking his best once again.
The Engine of a High-Press System
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One of the most compelling reasons Kyogo fits into Davies’s blueprint for the Blues is his exceptional work rate. He’s not just a goal poacher – he’s an orchestrator of chaos in the opponent’s half. His pressing intelligence and positional awareness make him a disruptive force, often turning dead-end possessions into chances by forcing defenders into errors. At Celtic, he led from the front with tireless energy, frequently setting the tone for the team’s high-octane, vertical play.
This pressing identity aligns well with Davies’s philosophy. Blues have been evolving into a more proactive unit, seeking to impose themselves in and out of possession. Kyogo, with his willingness to press hard and recover quickly, becomes a natural fit for such a system – offering not only energy, but tactical structure to the forward press.
Movement and Intelligence
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What separates Kyogo from many Championship-level strikers is not just his finishing, but his understanding of space. His off-the-ball movement is consistently top-tier. Whether ghosting between centre-backs or peeling wide to drag defenders out of position, he creates passing lanes and chaos simply by how and when he moves.
In a Birmingham setup featuring players like Jay Stansfield, who thrive in tight spaces and quick transitions, Kyogo’s presence could unlock far more than just goals. He could help elevate the collective attacking IQ, becoming the conduit through which Davies can implement more fluid, interchangeable attacking structures. This isn’t a striker who waits for service; he manipulates space to make service inevitable, whether for himself or others.
Finishing Touches
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While his tactical and athletic gifts are impressive, Furuhashi’s numbers speak for themselves. During his time at Celtic, he scored 86 goals in 167 appearances, 27 league goals in a single season, often outperforming his xG with sharp, instinctive finishes. He excels in one-touch shooting and has a knack for arriving just in time to turn half-chances into goals. These traits will be essential in the Championship, where defensive lines are tighter and attackers must make the most of minimal space.
Importantly, his finishing style is quick and precise – traits that bode well in a league often dominated by scrappy, physical battles where clean shooting opportunities are at a premium. His ability to find the net without requiring multiple touches or time to set himself would give Blues an edge in transition moments and inside crowded boxes.
However…
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Of course, the Championship is no playground. It’s a 46-game slog through wet pitches, bruising duels and tightly contested battles. Standing at just 1.70 m, Kyogo won’t win many aerial duels or bully defenders with his frame. His injury history – especially a recurring shoulder problem that he reportedly needs surgery for, adds a layer of caution to any deal.
Davies would be wise to partner Kyogo with a more physically dominant forward, allowing him to operate off the shoulder or in the channels, where he’s most effective. Or take a very fluid approach to his front line and prioritise pace and dynamism to run big defenders ragged. With careful rotation, and potentially limiting his minutes in high-impact fixtures, Kyogo could deliver consistent output while staying healthy.
A Mentality to Match the Mission
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Beyond stats and tactics, Kyogo brings the invaluable asset of a winning mindset. He knows what it’s like to win leagues, cups and handle the weight of Champions League nights. His humility and quiet leadership were often praised during his time at Celtic, and that mentality – combining work ethic with calm authority – could be vital in the tense run-in of a promotion seeking campaign.
He also reunites with fellow Japanese international Tomoki Iwata, which could help both players settle and flourish. That shared connection, paired with Davies’s familiarity, suggests a cultural and tactical environment in which Kyogo could thrive immediately.
A Calculated Gamble Worth Taking
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Kyogo Furuhashi is not a typical Championship striker signing – and that’s exactly what makes him such an exciting proposition for Bluenoses. If managed wisely, and used in a system that accentuates his strengths while shielding his vulnerabilities, he could become a catalyst for promotion. His quality, pressing and goal threat would add a new dimension to the Blues’ attacking play, while his winning mentality could lift those around him.
For a club seeking to rise not just in league position, but in style and standards, Kyogo might be the statement signing that signals Birmingham City’s serious intent to return to the Premier League.