Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts when asked how Kyogo will affect Jay Stansfield at Birmingham City | OneFootball

Birmingham City aren't predicted to have a problem following Kyōgo Furuhashi's signing

Birmingham City made a statement last season after romping to the League One title in record-breaking fashion and are approaching this summer with the same ambitious attitude.

Chris Davies’ side have already added Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kanya Fujimoto, Demarai Gray, Phil Neumann, Alfons Sampsted, Tommy Doyle and James Beadle to their ranks as they aim to fight at the sharp end of the second-tier next term.

Blues have also completed the signing of Kyōgo Furuhashi from Rennes, who previously excelled north of the border with Scottish giants Celtic.

This acquisition sent shockwaves throughout the division but may have left others within the Birmingham camp questioning whether their playing time was guaranteed next term.

Jay Stansfield may have fell in this category, with both him and Furuhashi operating out of the same position.

However, when speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit and former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that both players should be able to feature extensively for Davies’ side next season.

Lee Hendrie backs Jay Stansfield to keep place on the squad amid Kyōgo Furuhashi signing

“I don't think it will hamper Jay Stansfield's game time at all,” stated Hendrie. “I just think with the Championship, if you look at the squads that are successful and can maintain the distance, they have sufficient depth.

“Because there's a hell of a lot of games with the cup and league, I think bringing in another striker, which they have done in Kyōgo is smart.

“I do think the playing time does have that effect on players and strikers. But I think we see a lot more now, particularly with strikers, that a lot of their game time is shared for obvious reasons, because there are so many games at stake and there is an overload of matches.

“I don't think it's going to hamper him at all. I think Stansfield will be one of their main No.9’s, but he can also play in different positions as well.

“I think he's going to be a key player and a big performer for Birmingham this coming season.”

Jay Stansfield and Kyōgo Furuhashi will both be important players for Birmingham City

As alluded to by Hendrie, it takes a squad full with multiple players in every position to compete for promotion to the Premier League.

Injuries are bound to occur across 46 Championship games, which makes having quality replacements crucial as the season progresses.

Birmingham now have two lethal strikers in the form of Stansfield and Furuhashi who will unleash relentless pressure on opposition defences.

Due to the duo’s flexibility, they could potentially even work in unison, which will give Davies’ more options when crafting his attack for specific games.

Naturally, players will be frustrated if they are getting reduced playing time at the expense of others in the squad.

But if come May, Davies and Co. are in a position to fight for Premier League football, that ill-feeling is bound to somewhat soften.