Birmingham City star makes admission over expected departure amid Stoke City, Norwich City offers
Birmingham City ace Paik Seung-ho admits he thought he would leave after relegation with Stoke City and Norwich City among the clubs making offers.
Birmingham City are storming to the League One title as the run-in nears. BCFC are top of the third-tier table, now nine points clear of Wycombe Wanderers in 2nd and 11 above the play-off spots.
The Blues were widely backed for such a successful campaign but credit where credit is due, they have been fantastic.
The summer saw a huge overhaul of the playing squad but some stars stayed put. Midfielder Paik Seung-ho remained and is among the numerous players certainly capable of playing at a higher level.
It seems Championship sides Stoke City and Norwich City feel so too, with the Birmingham City midfielder revealing he had offers from both clubs in the summer transfer window. The South Korean star told Naver Sports he felt he would be on the move too, with one of the two ‘Sheffield’ clubs keen as well.
However, Paik has no regrets over staying with BCFC. He said:
“Honestly, I thought I would definitely leave, but the manager is so good.
“I kept fighting with myself internally – ‘if you play in a better league, won’t you be able to go to the national team?’ And the other half was ‘under this manager, can’t you really develop more as a player while playing the football I like and learned?’ I received offers from Sheffield, Norwich, Stoke, etc.
“I don’t have any regrets. I’ve fortunately been called up to the national team, and thankfully, I’m playing the kind of football I really wanted to play. I think that’s the best thing. I’m very satisfied, and if we get promoted here, it will be the best.”
The Davies effect
Few would have blamed Paik had he departed Birmingham City in the summer window. He showed in the Championship it’s a level he’s comfortable playing at, and he had a place in the South Korea squad to maintain.
Thankfully, despite dropping down a league, the level of football played by him and BCFC has kept him in the international picture.
It is clear that manager Chris Davies has had a huge part in his call to stay, and it just emphasises to the adoring fans just how big his impact has been.
There’s no doubt he’s been helped by massive financial backing and a talented squad, but Davies’ work and impact can not be downplayed.
A smart decision from Paik to stay with Birmingham City
In the short-term, a move to Stoke City or Norwich City might have been attractive for Paik. However, all being well, there’s a good chance Birmingham City will be overtaking those clubs in the near future.
It remains unknown which of the Sheffield clubs wanted him, but either would have been intriguing moves for the midfielder.
