Birmingham City have secured the signing of Spanish winger Carlos Vicente from Deportivo Alaves, a move that has garnered praise from football analysts and supporters alike. Vicente, who has impressed in La Liga over the past two years, is seen as an ideal player to thrive in the physically demanding environment of English football.
According to Jon Prada, a reporter from El Correo who has closely followed Vicente’s career, the winger embodies the classic style of English football — the kind that predates the modern tactical evolutions brought by managers like Guardiola, Arteta, and Iraola. “He’s a player that fits perfectly into the traditional 4-4-2 formation, with wingers who relentlessly push the ball down the line, challenge full-backs, and deliver precise crosses,” Prada explains. “Carlos also contributes goals and is consistently dangerous out wide.”
Vicente was signed by Alaves for less than €1 million from Racing Ferrol in January 2024, making him one of the most cost-effective signings in the Basque club’s history. This season, he has scored 10 goals across all competitions, including five in Spain’s top tier. Alaves will receive an initial €8 million (£7 million) fee for the player.
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Birmingham City’s ambition to climb back to the Premier League is clear, and Vicente’s arrival is viewed as a strategic step in that direction. “I believe he can become a Premier League player,” Prada says. “It’s unusual for a second-division Spanish club to sell a top-flight player, but clubs in the English Championship, like Birmingham City, have strong financial backing. Vicente will grow alongside the team, which has a solid project ahead.”
While fans of Alaves were initially disappointed to see Vicente go — evident in their chants urging him to stay after his farewell goal against Real Betis — the winger was not always a guaranteed starter under manager Eduardo Coudet this season. Prada notes that tactical choices have affected Vicente’s playing time. “Last season, Vicente was the only winger, but this season manager Coudet has deployed Calebe, a left-footed winger who plays on the right and often cuts inside to link play,” he said. “Vicente’s role is more about reaching the byline and delivering crosses.”
Recently, Vicente had found his way back into the starting lineup, contributing to Alaves’s improved consistency. Prada emphasizes that Vicente’s reduced minutes were not due to injury or conflict with the coach but rather tactical decisions, underscoring his physical readiness and importance to the squad.
Birmingham City fans will be eager to see how Vicente adapts to English football, where his traditional wing play and goal-scoring ability could prove invaluable as the club aims for promotion.