Osman signs: Birmingham City's dream XI to face Sheffield United on Championship opening day | OneFootball

FLW has looked at what could be an ideal lineup for Chris Davies on August 15th

The Championship season is just over a month from getting underway, and for Birmingham City, it begins at Bramall Lane with a clash against Chris Wilder's Sheffield United.

Ironically, this will be the second time in five years that the South Yorkshire and West Midlands outfit have kickstarted a second tier term, with Blues defeating the Blades on day one of the 2021/22 season through Maxime Colin's powerful header.

Last season was particularly underwhelming for both sets of supporters, and they will hope to put that right and challenge for a play-off finish, which could be achieved by finishing as low as eighth due to a divisional restructure.

After finishing 10th in 2025/26, the pressure will firmly be on the shoulders of Chris Davies to deliver a strong start to the season at St. Andrew's, and FLW have outlined a potential dream lineup for the 41-year-old.

GK: Radek Vitek

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Blues' goalkeepers union is in need of a shake-up this summer after the expiration of James Beadle's loan spell from Brighton, and a dream replacement would be Radek Vitek of Manchester United.

Indeed, it had been claimed that the Czech, who impressed in the Championship last term, keeping 12 clean sheets and boasting a save percentage of above 70% for Bristol City, was a target for Rangers, who have since signed Ivor Pandur from Hull City.

As such, this could open the door for Birmingham to swoop for the 22-year-old on a loan, or at an ambitious stretch, permanent basis.

RB: Ethan Laird

At right-back, it would be no surprise to see Ethan Laird oust Bright Osayi-Samuel as first-choice next month.

The 24-year-old was instrumental in the club's League One title-winning season, but was largely unable to continue such a positive wave of form last term due to injury issues, playing just 20 times in all competitions - not all of which came in his favoured position either.

CB: Christoph Klarer

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One of, if not the first name on the teamsheet for Davies is Austrian centre-back and club captain, Christoph Klarer, who has been a colossal figure for Blues in the past two years.

The former Southampton man has rarely given opposing forwards a moment's peace, while also posing a clear threat for Blues in set-piece situations, which could be further enhanced by the addition of Scott Fry as a specialist coach on that particular front.

CB: Dael Fry

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Partnering Klarer could well be newly-acquired centre-back, Dael Fry, who moved from Middlesbrough on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at the Riverside Stadium.

Fry has over 270 Championship appearances under his belt, and, like Klarer, is a clear leader at the heart of defence after captaining his boyhood club to last season's play-off final.

Given the height of the duo, it could become one of the Championship's strongest pairings in any department.

LB: Harry Amass

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Rounding off the defence could be another loan option from Old Trafford in the form of Harry Amass, after Blues suffered major issues at left-back last season.

Availability issues surrounded both Alex Cochrane and Lee Buchanan, and whilst Amass could only make one appearance during his second loan spell of the campaign with Norwich City due to injury, he previously lit up the stage at Sheffield Wednesday in bleak circumstances.

That said, the 19-year-old will most certainly not be short of suitors.

DM: Paik Seung-ho

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The first of two figures at the base of midfield could be the ever-reliable South Korean international, Paik Seung-ho.

The 29-year-old played all three Group A matches for his country at the FIFA World Cup 2026, landing Blues a cash windfall in the process.

However, there could be some question marks over whether Paik will make the opening game as he now has a summer break, and could undergo surgery on a previously persistent shoulder issue.

DM: Jhon Solis

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Next to Paik is the combative Colombian midfielder, Jhon Solis, who recently turned his initial loan switch from Girona FC permanent on a four-year deal for a reported £6m.

The aforementioned figure was, of course, an option-to-buy clause which was exercised ahead of an expiry date amid interest from Brentford and Leeds United.

During his prior spell, Solis made 18 appearances for Blues and netted in the 2-1 win against Bristol City on April 25th, and supporters are more than delighted with his return.

RM: Carlos Vicente

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After signing from Deportivo Alaves for £7m in January, Spanish winger Carlos Vicente certainly ended the season in a rich vein of form with two goals against Ipswich Town and Wrexham.

The 27-year-old, given his prior record in La Liga, could burst even more into life in the second tier with a full pre-season under his belt after previously aclimatising to the rigours of English football.

AM: Jay Stansfield

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There has been plenty of noise surrounding club-record signing, Jay Stansfield, in recent weeks, although Blues remain confident they can retain the 23-year-old's services in the long run.

Plenty of faith, but also pressure, has been put on the attacker's shoulders since his permanent move from Fulham, and even though he ended last season as joint-top scorer alongside Marvin Ducksch, Stansfield's late-season performances did split opinion.

Indeed, only two of his goals came after the end of November, meaning more consistency will be hoped for if Birmingham are to make the play-offs.

LW: Ibrahim Osman

Demarai Gray is another current player whose future had recently been jeopardised, and although the experienced academy graduate is currently involved in pre-season, there is a school of thought that Birmingham could reunite with Ibrahim Osman on a loan, or permanent basis this summer.

The 21-year-old was signed by his current employers, Brighton, for £16m in 2024, and has shown the occasional flash of brilliance or unpredictability, largely through his speed, which was cited by Davies in March.