Birmingham City fans have a £2m hero — Cochrane could struggle to return | OneFootball

Kai Wagner has proven to be an inspired signing for Blues thus far

For a large portion of Chris Davies' tenure at Birmingham City, it had been discussed that one of the main issues facing the Blues boss was a distinct lack of options at left-back.

However, much like a handful of other areas of Davies' squad at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, those fears were swiftly erased in a critical winter transfer window, as Blues look to make the Championship play-offs at the first time of asking, which would firmly back up the club's ambitions which were set out at the start of the season.

It has been well-documented amid a seven-game unbeaten run in the second tier that the outlook of Birmingham's season has been transformed, largely down to the strong calibre of six new players who were recruited, as well as turning Patrick Roberts' initial loan switch from Sunderland into a permanent deal.

Prior to the opening of the window, it was reported that a left-back, as well as a defensive midfielder and another 'number nine' were pinpointed as priorities by the likes of Davies, director of football Craig Gardner and owner, Tom Wagner.

Jhon Solis has been a shrewd addition at the base of midfield alongside either Tommy Doyle or Paik Seung-ho, whilst August Priske has shown flashes of why £6m was parted with to secure his services from Allsvenskan outfit, Djurgardens.

However, it is fair to say that the most important deal of the window was adding sufficient quality at left-back amid injury and fitness issues suffered by both Alex Cochrane and Lee Buchanan in recent weeks and months.

Whilst Blues have been known for splashing the cash under Wagner's ownership, not many deals could be viewed in the same vein when it comes to the fee paid and the importance of acquiring Kai Wagner from Philadelphia Union on January 2nd.

The German has become an instant hit in B9 as a result of his performance levels, which leaves Cochrane, in particular, in a situation which he hadn't previously faced since joining from Hearts in July 2024, but it is something the 25-year-old will likely have to get used to once he returns to full fitness.

Kai Wagner is already proving to be a £2m bargain for Birmingham City

Wagner's most impressive career displays came throughout a lengthy stateside stint with the Pennsylvania-based side, where he racked up 253 appearances and amassed a staggering total of 10 goals and 54 assists from left-back between February 2019 and last month.

Featuring two times in the MLS' Best XI only further backs up claims that emerged stating that Blues had sourced a bargain when striking a deal for the 29-year-old worth approximately just £2m on a two-and-a-half year contract until the summer of 2028.

Despite not featuring in a competitive match since November 24th, when Union were defeated in the MLS play-offs, an ankle injury sustained by Cochrane presented Wagner with an immediate opportunity to showcase his talent against league leaders, Coventry City, on January 4th.

The previously nicknamed 'assist king' certainly lived up to such a billing with a stunning cross for Marvin Ducksch in the opening minutes of the statement 3-2 win, before netting his first for the club in the FA Cup third round success over Cambridge United the following week.

However, whilst no further assists have followed since then, that hasn't seen the German's performance levels drop one bit. He has provided a further four big chances in just seven league appearances, as well as providing plenty of defensive solidity by winning 60 percent of his ground duels thus far.

The defender also drew strong praise for his performance when up against Leeds United's electric winger, Wilfried Gnonto, in Sunday's pulsating FA Cup tie, rarely allowing the Italian a moment's peace before he was substituted in place of Brenden Aaronson, as well as marking Facundo Buonanotte out of the game before the Argentine's half-time withdrawal.

If Blues are to reach the play-offs this term, the impact which Wagner has had, and that Davies and Bluenoses will hope he continues to have, will no doubt be a key factor.

It has been reported that Cochrane will not be seen in action until April as a result of his injury, and once he returns, the former Brighton man will likely be playing 'second fiddle' to Wagner based on the current situation.

This is something which the full-back has very rarely had to contend with across his previous 75 Blues appearances, with Lee Buchanan still recovering from his ACL injury which was sustained in December 2024, and left Davies incredibly short in terms of natural depth for just over 12 months.

Cochrane was an incredibly reliable performer for Birmingham in League One, but had been the subject of criticism from some quarters for his performances earlier this term, despite providing five goal contributions in 19 appearances.