"Everybody expects" - Birmingham City icon issues Premier League ambition claim | OneFootball

The former Blues defender has been speaking about the club's current and future predicament.

Former Birmingham City defender Michael Johnson has weighed in on the debate surrounding his old club, who've made no secret about their intentions to make a Premier League return in the not-too-distant future.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM in the lead-up to Saturday lunchtime's mammoth clash against second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, in which Birmingham won 1-0 in front of a packed-out St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, Johnson referenced the expectation levels which surround Chris Davies' side as a result of Knighthead Capital Management's hefty investment, as well as the exciting prospects that lie ahead for the Bluenoses.

Blues are currently riding the crest of a wave in what is their first season at this level in 30 years, and are on course to replicate the success of yesteryear under Barry Fry, as they sit 12 points clear at the top of the League One table and have a Wembley date against Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy Final on the horizon.

Michael Johnson issues Birmingham City, Premier League claim

Johnson donned the Royal Blue 259 times between 1995 and 2003 after joining from Notts County for a reported £230,000 fee, with the defender being part of the side which ended a 17-year exile from the top flight under Steve Bruce after defeating Norwich City on penalties at the Principality Stadium in May 2002, as well as reaching the EFL Cup Final the previous season under the legendary Trevor Francis.

Despite the club being at its lowest league position for many a year, excitement levels haven't been this high in the blue half of the Second City since a venture into the UEFA Europa League in the first half of the 2011/12 campaign under Chris Hughton as a result of Tom Wagner's short and long-term ambition.

As a result, the former Jamaican international is aware of the target Birmingham currently have on their back, but has praised everybody associated with the club for the environment which has been fostered in B9 in such a short space of time, which is a far cry from the atmosphere under previous ownership groups.

"The expectations is probably the difference now," Johnson said.

"In terms of everybody expects the club to not lose a game, to walk this league, to possibly go through the Championship and go straight into the Premier League just because (of) the ownership.

"But what I would say, the environment that the fans are creating, it's a pleasure to now be putting on a Birmingham City shirt, going into a full stadium and seeing so many Brummies happy," the 51-year-old added.

Johnson concluded: "You know, there are expectations that each player will now hopefully be living up to, because they realise that Birmingham City is a club that looks like its going places at the moment."

In the past 12 months, Knighthead - fronted by Wagner and Tom Brady - have already made an array of changes to the matchday experience at St Andrew's, including a new 'Fan Park' between the Tilton Road and Main Stand, as well as investing £15m into the infrastructure of the stadium last summer.

However, the club purchased the currently derelict 48-acre 'Birmingham Wheels' site in 2024 for a £51m sum with the vision of delivering a 'Sports Quarter' complex which includes a 60,000-seater stadium and approximately 8,400 job opportunities for those in local areas, with the American ownership group investing £100m into the project.

On the pitch, nothing showcased their ambition more than the club and third-tier record signing of Jay Stansfield on a seven-year contract, with the former Fulham man unfazed by the outside pressure on his shoulders, delivering 20 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Of course, the landscape of the Championship is very different to the predicament Blues currently find themselves in.

However, they have already begun their forward-planning with the pre-contract signing of Phil Neumann from Hannover 96 and have turned Taylor Gardner-Hickman's loan move from Bristol City into a reported £1.5m switch after triggering a loan-to-buy clause, with the versatile player netting his first two goals for the club against Leyton Orient and the Chairboys in successive home outings.

With excitement continuing to build in this part of the West Midlands, Birmingham will hope it isn't a 'long, long road' back to the top flight, having not featured there since May 2011.