Double Birmingham City transfer deal could transform the way Chris Davies' team plays - Here is why | OneFootball

Bright Osayi-Samuel and Demarai Gray could prove shrewd signings for Birmingham City, and they will give Chris Davies' side another threat in attack.

Birmingham City have returned to the Championship, but their ambitious owners have made it clear that back-to-back promotions is the aim.

Unlike many clubs who come up from League One, Blues have the resources to make that Premier League dream a reality.

They have already sealed a loan deal for James Beadle, who is fresh off the back of helping England U21s to glory in the European Championship this summer - and Demarai Gray and Bright Osayi-Samuel are set to follow the keeper through the door at St. Andrew’s.

Birmingham City will have to tweak their approach following promotion

As Birmingham cruised to the League One title, many of their games, whether at home or away, followed a similar pattern.

The opposition would set up in a low block, Blues would keep possession, and they would have to pass and probe as they tried to force their way in - which they invariably did.

That was reflected in the 66.9% average possession for Chris Davies’ side over the season, which is quite a remarkable number, and highlights just how good they were.

Davies won’t abandon his principles, and Blues will continue to look to control the game, but the reality is that the step up in quality means they won’t dominate to the same extent.

However, that gives Davies an opportunity to tweak the way his side plays, and bringing in Gray and Osayi-Samuel suggests he is prepared to do just that.

Bright Osayi-Samuel and Demarai Gray give Birmingham a different attacking threat

Whilst Beadle is a capable keeper at this level, as he has proven during loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday, it’s the additions of Gray and Osayi-Samuel that should really excite Blues fans, purely because they offer the team something different.

That’s because they both have real pace, something which Blues lacked at times.

Osayi-Samuel may have predominantly played at right-back for Fenerbahçe, but he played as a winger during his QPR days, and he is a constant threat with his ability to run with the ball.

Meanwhile, Birmingham supporters have seen first-hand just how dangerous Gray is when he gets going. He is direct, he can go inside and outside a full-back, and he is difficult to stop when in full flow.

Simply put, they have instantly given Blues a major counter-attacking threat, and they will be ready to exploit any space in behind their opponents and cause huge problems in transition.

That will become increasingly common this season, as teams will be willing to take Birmingham on, something that wasn’t the case for virtually all the previous campaign.

It’s not like Gray or Osayi-Samuel can only play in one way, and they have more than enough talent to break down a low block.