Some Birmingham City fans have been drooling over Maikel Kieftenbeld’s performance versus Leicester City in this past Wednesday’s FA Cup fixture.
Kieftenbeld started Birmingham’s midweek clash with The Foxes, playing a total of 84 minutes before being substituted. Wednesday’s fixture saw the 29-year-old midfielder start his first game of the 2019/20 season for the Blues. The Dutchman missed 311 days of action after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Birmingham’s win over Leeds United back in April 2019.
Kieftenbeld, who is valued at £720k (as per Transfermarkt), delivered a positive performance on the defensive side of things, notably making three interceptions and four clearances as he helped The Blues to keep a clean sheet versus a Leicester City side who currently sit in third place in the Premier League, up until Ricardo Pereira broke the deadlock for The Foxes in the 82nd minute.
Some Birmingham supporters have been reacting positively to the Dutch midfielder’s performance versus Leicester City on social media. Read the positive reactions of some Blues supporters to Kieftenbeld’s impressive performance in Wednesday’s FA Cup tie in the tweets below.
Should Kieftenbeld be starting in the Championship going forward?YES, GET HIM BACK IN THE FIRST XI
NO, HE'S NOT READY YET
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After 11 months out with a serious injury I thought Kieftenbeld would be cautious or hesitant about playing how he used to but fair play to him, he still kicks anything that breathes without a care in the world. #bcfc
— Josh MacDonald (@joshmac90) March 4, 2020
There’s many positives from last night and we gave a great account of ourselves on and off the pitch, but the biggest thing for me was seeing Kieftenbeld back in a blues shirt playing like that ?… Welcome back Dutch Mike ? #bcfc pic.twitter.com/QKfk3PSdIB
— Andrew Facer (@andyfacer9) March 5, 2020
KIEFT would be like a new signing blues from now until the end of season ??#BCFC
— Alan Elwell (@elwell_alan) March 5, 2020
10 months out? No problem mate!
Kieft is back with a bang ?? #bcfc pic.twitter.com/PRggo1vO1l
— Birmingham Fan TV (@BirminghamFanTV) March 5, 2020
Proper blues that so good to hear the words Kieftenbeld crunching tackle again #bcfc
— james lomas ?? (@James_C_Lomas) March 4, 2020
Amazed how sharp Kieftenbeld looks!
— Jobey (@jobeylad) March 4, 2020
Kieftenbeld, Hogan & Mrabti all excellent first half.
— V (@Veno1983) March 4, 2020
What do we think?
Kieftenbeld had been an important figure in Birmingham City’s squad for each of his first four seasons at the club. The Dutchman made 35 Championship appearances or more in each of his first four seasons as a Birmingham City player.
Kieftenbeld’s start in Wednesday’s game versus Leicester City follows two substitute appearances that the Dutchman has made in Championship fixtures in recent weeks.
Now that he has gotten his first start of the 2019/20 season under his belt, Kieftenbeld may aim to get back to being a regular member of The Blues’ squad for the remainder of the season. Some Blues supporters may also want to see the 29-year-old become a regular member of the Birmingham first-team again following his performance on Wednesday.