Yahoo News Chris Davies explains what Taylor Gardner-Hickman will bring to Birmingham City
Taylor Gardner-Hickman has been signed to provide competition to Paik Seung-ho and Marc Leonard at the base of Birmingham City’s midfield – but his versatility also appealed to manager Chris Davies.
Gardner-Hickman, 22, has become Blues’ 12th summer signing after joining from Bristol City on loan. He brings with him a wealth of Championship experience having played 95 second tier matches for West Bromwich Albion, with whom he started his career, and the Robins.
Blues boss Davies told BirminghamLive: “He’s a player that has good qualities that I like in a player and we like as a team in terms of his energy and legs to get around the pitch. He covers good distances on the pitch and is technically comfortable with the ball.
“He can play a couple of different positions; deep central midfield, a little bit more advanced, and he can even play right-back so he’s got versatility. As a young player he still has growth and development to go, but on the other side of that he’s experienced in the Championship.
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“He ticks quite a few boxes and adds to the depth I wanted to create all over the pitch. I’m really pleased to have him in.”
Gardner-Hickman is Blues’ replacement for Jordan James who joined French side Rennes two weeks ago. He possesses a similar physical profile to James and has the ability to play box-to-box.
“We obviously lost JJ a few weeks back and they are similar in some ways, but different in their style,” Davies added. “There is definitely a similarity there in some parts.
“It was important we brought a player in in that area because losing JJ has left us with only two recognised sixes in Paik and Marc. With Taylor coming in and being able to play in that position and a couple of others is going to be really useful.”
