After making a highly anticipated transfer from Eredivisie team Heracles to Birmingham City last summer, Emil Hansson has had a disappointing debut season in English football.
During last summer’s transfer window, Blues made no secret of their goals, spending more than any other team in League One history in an attempt to climb back to the Championship as quickly as possible and lay the groundwork for their long-term goals.
In bold moves that highlighted Birmingham’s financial strength and promotion credentials, players like Christoph Klarer, Ben Davies, Alex Cochrane, Willum Willumsson, Alfie May, and, of course, Jay Stansfield all made their way to St Andrews at Knighthead Park.
Hansson, who reportedly paid £1.5 million to join from Heracles, was one of the most intriguing newcomers to the Second City’s blue quarters.
The Swedish winger helped Heracles get promoted the previous season with 35 goal involvements, and he recorded five goals and six assists in the Dutch top division last season.
However, Hansson has had trouble starting this term. Despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, he has yet to contribute a goal in any of his 13 League One appearances.
Honest Birmingham City verdict offered on Emil Hansson
Despite his injury issues, FLW asked our resident Bluenose fan analyst Mike Gibbs if he thinks Hansson has been a disappointing addition so far and if the Swede can advance to the Championship the following season.
Birmingham will already have their sights set on the Championship as they lead the league with two games remaining and a nine-point lead over third-place Wrexham. Mike has acknowledged that his signing has been a letdown, but he feels it’s too soon to tell if the 26-year-old can produce at Championship level.
“I think he has been a bit of a disappointing signing, to be brutally honest,” Mike stated to FLW. “He hasn’t been able to start because of his unfortunate injury history. He was just beginning to settle in after being new to the league and the nation, but a few injuries have since seriously hampered his progress.
“I find it quite disappointing based on what we have seen thus far. “I continue to believe that a player will be present. Since he hasn’t played well in League One, I believe it’s too soon to say whether he could step up to the Championship, but I’m still optimistic.
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