Birmingham City's first summer transfer window sale appears straightforward as the club prepares to part ways with Japanese midfielder Kanya Fujimoto after a disappointing debut season.
The 26-year-old playmaker joined Blues from Portuguese side Gil Vicente last summer, but has struggled to make an impact under manager Chris Davies, making just one start and five substitute appearances in the Championship.
A Season to Forget
Fujimoto was signed despite suffering a knee injury towards the end of the Portuguese Primeira Liga season. He followed compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi through the door in July, with both deals brokered by the same agent.
However, Fujimoto's only start for the club ended in humiliation as he was substituted at half-time during a 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Port Vale last August. He made just five brief appearances off the bench in the league thereafter.
Missed Opportunity
Every player needs a defining moment, and Fujimoto's arrived in stoppage time against Leeds United in the FA Cup in February. With the goal gaping in front of The Tilton, he failed to guide the ball past a defender, potentially costing him any chance of a revival under Davies.
Davies spoke positively about Fujimoto after a 27-minute cameo against Blackburn Rovers in April, pledging to give him more minutes. “He's been here a while and he's not had a chance so I thought that in these remaining games it's an opportunity for him to play,” said Davies.
But the Blues boss changed his mind over the Easter weekend, and Fujimoto did not feature in any of the final six games, failing to make the bench in half of them.
Time to Move On
Sometimes a player simply does not fit a manager's system, and the data-driven acquisition of Fujimoto has clearly not worked for Davies. As Davies admitted in January, Fujimoto “deserves to play” but opportunities are not forthcoming at St Andrew's.
With Fujimoto turning 27 on July 1, a year of his career has been effectively wasted. The most logical step is for both parties to shake hands and part ways this summer.
