Are Birmingham City now home to the Championship’s finest group of wingers?
Just a month ago, rival fans might have dismissed the idea. But with smart moves in the recent transfer window, Blues have revolutionized their wide attacking options.
The departure of Keshi Anderson and the recall of Lewis Koumas cleared the way for the signings of Ibrahim Osman and Carlos Vicente. Osman, a 21-year-old pacey talent signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for £16 million just 18 months ago, brings raw energy and tremendous potential. While still refining his finishing, Osman’s electric runs have troubled top-tier defenders like Ricardo Pereira and James Justin, both seasoned Premier League full-backs.
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Meanwhile, Carlos Vicente arrived from Alaves for £7 million as a proven performer. The winger impressed with 10 goals in the first half of the season, including five in La Liga, proving he’s more than ready to make an immediate impact.
Birmingham also retained the high-caliber Demarai Gray and Patrick Roberts, both previously guaranteed starters. Gray boasts 10 goal involvements in 25 appearances, while Roberts has nine in 29.
Now fit and firing, Davies faces the enviable challenge of selecting from this talented quartet. Will team selection hinge on the opponent?
“A bit of that, a bit of the full-back they’re playing with as well,” Davies explained. “It’s a luxury to tailor our wingers to the opposing full-backs, but it doesn’t always pan out. However, some full-backs suit inside wingers more, others outside wingers.”
Davies emphasized the value of rotation: “I want all of them bringing qualities and intensity. We’re rotating to keep their energy high. Around the 60-minute mark, I usually make attacking substitutions to maintain pressing and pace.”
This thoughtful approach extends to full-back choices. Kai Wagner currently holds the left-back spot, but right-back options are competitive, with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ethan Laird challenging midfielder Tomoki Iwata, who has adapted impressively to a more defensive role.
Davies shared insight into their tactical evolution: “Earlier, we played with a high full-back and an advancing midfielder on the right. As our game matured, full-backs couldn’t push as high, leading Tomoki to invert from midfield. Now, we blend these styles — our wide full-backs can drift inside to free space, while Tomoki stays centrally to balance the team.”
With these dynamic wide attacking options and tactical flexibility, Birmingham City appear poised to trouble the Championship’s best as the season reaches its climax.