How Eiran Cashin and Marvin Ducksch will fit into the system this season

Birmingham City are in the midst of a footballing revolution. With the club under new ownership, a visionary manager in Chris Davies, and an aggressive transfer strategy fueled by Knighthead Capital, the Blues are building not just for promotion—but for sustainable, intelligent football. Two of their most intriguing additions this summer are Eiran Cashin, the Republic of Ireland centre-back signed from Derby County, and Marvin Ducksch, the experienced German striker reportedly close to finalising a move from Werder Bremen.

These two players represent opposite ends of the pitch but share a central place in Davies’ tactical blueprint for the 2025–26 Championship campaign. In this in-depth tactical breakdown, we explore how Cashin and Ducksch will integrate into Birmingham’s system, what roles they will be expected to play, and how their presence could be the key to unlocking a promotion-winning season.

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Chris Davies’ System: A Tactical Foundation

Before we examine the roles of Cashin and Ducksch, it’s important to understand Chris Davies’ preferred tactical philosophy. A disciple of possession-based football developed under Brendan Rodgers and later refined during his time as assistant at Tottenham, Davies seeks to implement a style that blends:

• Controlled buildup from the back
• Compact, aggressive pressing off the ball
• A fluid front four with interchanging roles
• Full-backs that invert or overlap based on opposition shape

Davies typically employs a 4-2-3-1 formation that transitions to a 3-2-5 or 2-3-5 in possession, with one full-back tucking into midfield while the other overlaps to stretch the pitch.

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Eiran Cashin: The Ball-Playing Defensive Anchor

Background

Eiran Cashin arrives at St Andrew’s as one of the most coveted young centre-backs in the EFL, following three strong seasons with Derby County. At just 23, he brings a rare mix of:

• Aggression in duels
• Leadership and positioning
• Progressive passing from deep

Birmingham reportedly paid around £2 million, and insiders view him as the long-term defensive anchor for the team’s rebuild.

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Cashin’s Defensive Strengths

1. Front-foot Defending:
   Cashin excels in stepping out of the defensive line to intercept passes or engage attackers early. His reading of the game allows him to make aggressive challenges without losing his shape.
2. Aerial Prowess:
   Standing 6’1″ with a strong leap and timing, Cashin wins 68% of his aerial duels, ranking among the best in League One last season. In the physically demanding Championship, this trait is crucial.
3. Leadership and Communication:
   Though still young, Cashin captained Derby on several occasions and has been praised for his organisational abilities. He’s vocal, decisive, and fearless—traits Birmingham’s backline has lacked since the departure of Harlee Dean.

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Ball Progression and Distribution

Cashin averaged 6.2 progressive passes per 90 and was Derby’s most consistent outlet in building from the back. He’s comfortable splitting centre-backs wide and stepping forward to initiate attacks—a key requirement in Davies’ possession-focused system.

Expect Cashin to play primarily as the left centre-back, allowing him to:

• Pass diagonally into midfield
• Feed overlapping runs from Lewis Hall at left-back
• Cover spaces when the left full-back inverts or pushes high

When Davies’ system shifts into a 3-2-5 in possession, Cashin becomes part of the back three, offering security while also playing the first progressive pass into midfield.

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Tactical Fit with Jarrad Branthwaite / Ed Turns

With Branthwaite (on loan from Everton) or Ed Turns potentially operating as the right-sided centre-back, Cashin forms one half of a complementary defensive duo. Branthwaite brings physicality and left-footed passing, while Cashin offers aggression and vertical play.

The pair can:

• Switch play with precision
• Allow the full-backs to push higher
• Provide a defensive shield when Birmingham lose the ball in transition

In short, Cashin brings both solidity and modernity—a centre-back who defends with purpose and passes with intent.

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Marvin Ducksch: The False Nine with Bundesliga Flair

Background

Marvin Ducksch is a proven Bundesliga forward with a unique profile—part striker, part playmaker. At 31, he’s not a typical Championship signing, but Knighthead’s ambition and Birmingham’s pull under Davies have made a deal viable.

At Werder Bremen, Ducksch scored 10 goals and added 7 assists in the 2023–24 Bundesliga season, often playing behind Niclas Füllkrug or as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1. He’s known for:

• Intelligent movement between the lines
• Crisp passing and vision
• A deadly left foot from range and set-pieces

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Role in Birmingham’s Attack

In Davies’ system, Ducksch will likely play as a false nine, leading the line nominally but often dropping deep to combine with Mike Trésor or Charlie Patino.

Key functions include:

1. Link Play:
   Ducksch drops between the opposition’s midfield and defence to create overloads, dragging centre-backs out of position and freeing space for wingers and attacking midfielders.
2. Late Runs and Finishing:
   While not lightning quick, Ducksch times his runs superbly and finishes with composure. Expect to see him arriving late in the box to finish cutbacks from Windass or Patino.
3. Set-Piece Weapon:
   With a lethal left foot, Ducksch will take most direct free-kicks and corners, adding a new layer to Birmingham’s dead-ball threat.

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Statistical Profile

Here’s what Ducksch produced in the Bundesliga last season:

• xG per 90: 0.43
• xA per 90: 0.29
• Key passes per 90: 2.2
• Pass completion in final third: 84%
• Shots per 90: 3.4

These are elite-level numbers that rival any forward in the Championship. While his pace is limited, his ability to manipulate space with movement and creativity makes him a central cog in Birmingham’s attacking machinery.

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Fitting Together: Cashin and Ducksch in Davies’ XI

Let’s visualize how both players slot into the preferred starting XI:

Birmingham’s Projected XI (4-2-3-1)

cssCopyEdit                Ducksch
Windass      Trésor      Patino
        Woods        Bacuna
Hall   Cashin   Branthwaite   Drameh
                Beadle

Offensive Shape: 2-3-5

In possession, Davies often morphs into a 2-3-5:

• Drameh tucks inside as an inverted RB
• Hall pushes high to overlap Windass
• Cashin and Branthwaite form the back two
• Bacuna sits between the lines to link defense and attack

In this shape:

• Cashin stays deep, breaking lines with vertical passes
• Ducksch drops into midfield, linking with Trésor and drawing defenders out
• Patino and Windass make diagonal runs into vacated spaces

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Complementing the Supporting Cast

Both Cashin and Ducksch are uniquely suited to elevate their teammates:

• Mike Trésor, now playing centrally, needs a striker to combine with. Ducksch provides that option.
• Lewis Hall, an attacking full-back, will benefit from Cashin’s secure left-footed passing behind him.
• Patino and Bacuna can feed off Ducksch’s knockdowns and layoffs when direct play is required.

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What the Coaches Say

Chris Davies on Cashin:

“Eiran brings bite, control, and real leadership qualities. He’s someone who commands respect and makes others around him better. That’s the kind of defender we need for the journey ahead.”

Davies on Ducksch (speaking in a press briefing after initial links):

“Marvin is a player I’ve admired for years. He sees the game two steps ahead. If he were five years younger, top clubs across Europe would be chasing him. He fits the way we want to play perfectly.”

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Potential Concerns and Adjustments

No signing is without risk. For Cashin:

• Pace could be an issue against quick transitions; Davies must ensure proper midfield cover.

For Ducksch:

• Physicality of the Championship might test his endurance. He’ll need rotation or a second striker in certain games (e.g., Connolly or Jovan Malcolm).

Davies may occasionally shift to a 4-4-2 diamond or 3-5-2 to accommodate tactical needs or protect Ducksch in high-energy fixtures.

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The Verdict: Two Core Pieces of the Promotion Puzzle

With Eiran Cashin, Birmingham gain a modern centre-back who can anchor a high line, lead from the back, and play through pressure.

With Marvin Ducksch, they acquire a cerebral, technically gifted forward who adds creativity, finishing, and tactical nuance.

Both players are tailor-made for Davies’ structured, progressive football. If they adapt quickly to the pace and physicality of the Championship, they could be two of the most influential signings in the division.

Together, they represent the backbone and brain of a Birmingham side dreaming of a Premier League return.