Birmingham City are taking a measured approach to the summer transfer window, prioritizing quality over quantity to avoid the mistakes of last season. The club has made only one new signing so far—central defender Dael Fry on a free transfer from Middlesbrough—while exercising a £6 million option to permanently sign Jhon Solis from Girona.
Lessons Learned from Last Season
By this time last year, Blues had already secured six players, including Kanya Fujimoto in early July. This summer, however, no such overhaul is needed, allowing manager Chris Davies to focus on targeted additions. The two arrivals suggest lessons have been learned from the previous campaign.
Solis, who joined on loan in January, made a significant impact in midfield, providing quality on the ball as well as the physicality and athleticism the team lacked before Christmas. Fry, standing over six feet tall, adds height—a key attribute Davies recognized as crucial midway through last season. Fry also brings a goal threat from defence, having recorded his best scoring season, and the appointment of set-piece coach Scott Fry should further boost aerial prowess.
Experience and Leadership
Davies implemented a more direct style late last season and has pledged to maintain it. The signings of Solis and Fry indicate he is sticking to that approach. Fry, with over 250 Championship appearances, brings invaluable experience—a factor Davies admitted Blues overlooked last summer. As former Middlesbrough captain, Fry also offers leadership, having worn the armband in every Championship start last season, leading Boro to the play-off final.
Fry's arrival is expected to displace Phil Neumann alongside Christoph Klarer, but a tactical alternative could see Neumann deployed at right-back. This would allow Davies to field three centre-backs and free left-back Kai Wagner to push forward, a system Blues used effectively in their League One title-winning campaign.
Clear Vision for the Championship
Davies has never used Neumann at right-back, but the option demonstrates tactical flexibility that Blues now possess more than six months ago. The return of Solis and the signing of Fry show that Davies has a clear picture of what a Championship team requires. Further signings of similar ilk are expected in the remainder of the window.
