Birmingham City will have Brighton and Hove Albion licking their lips for one clear reason | OneFootball

Ibrahim Osman has made a strong start to his loan spell at Blues

Birmingham City have started to remind the rest of the Championship as to why they were viewed as play-off, and even potential promotion material before the season got underway.

After an inconsistent first half of the second tier campaign, Chris Davies' side have enjoyed an impressive run of form - barring a 3-0 hammering by Watford on New Year's Day - in the opening weeks of 2026, giving them a strong chance of achieving a top six berth by the time May rolls around.

A feel-good factor and a strong sense of belief has returned to St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park as a result, coupled with yet another flurry of exciting and much-needed activity throughout the recently closed winter transfer window.

Birmingham had recruited 14 permanent or loan signings in the window which followed their record-breaking League One season, with many believing that the plethora of additions would only boost what was viewed as an already-competent Championship squad on paper.

However, it is fair to say that the jury is still out on some of those signings, whilst those who were recruited within the past month to bolster the club's chances of securing a play-off spot have already made strong impressions.

Seven players - if you include the permanent acquisition of initial Sunderland loanee, Patrick Roberts - were signed during a critical timeframe for Davies, who continued to receive ample backing from ownership group, Knighthead Capital, with Tom Wagner previously declaring that he sees the 40-year-old as the man still in charge in B9 long-term after previous sack reports.

The additions of Jonathan Panzo, Kai Wagner, Jhon Solis, Ibrahim Osman, Carlos Vicente and August Priske alongside the aforementioned Roberts only helped bring further depth and quality to the areas of the Blues squad which needed it most.

And, after three previously contrasting transfer dealings with Premier League side, Brighton and Hove Albion, throughout Davies' tenure thus far, it could be a case of 'fourth-time lucky' as far as Blues are concerned, with Ibrahim Osman making a strong first impression in the West Midlands after his loan move was confirmed.

Ibrahim Osman has made a strong start to life at Birmingham City post-Brighton loan agreement

Despite not featuring in a senior encounter for the South Coast club thus far, Osman arrived at St. Andrew's with plenty of pedigree throughout his relatively short career.

After breaking through the ranks at FC Nordsjælland of the Danish Superliga, the Accra-born forward showed the first glimpses of his potential with a run of 10 goals and nine assists in just 54 appearances for his first professional side.

It has been well-documented that, in recent seasons, Brighton have held the ability to source an array of talents from far and wide, with Osman falling into that particular category after the Seagulls agreed a £16m deal with the Danish side in February 2024 ahead of last season's first transfer window.

A loan move to Feyenoord last season saw Osman record a further seven goal contributions in 32 outings, whilst also being exposed to UEFA Champions League football at De Kuip in the process.

After a second loan switch to AC Auxerre failed to work out for the 21-year-old in the first half of the season, the winger has certainly made the left-wing spot at St. Andrew's his own to lose within just three appearances.

Osman impressed in his first two outings against Stoke City and Oxford United, and was rewarded for his continued positive approach and dynamism with a cool and composed finish after three minutes against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon after robbing Ricardo Pereira of possession just inside the attacking third.

In just four matches, the Brighton loanee has given himself a platform to build on in terms of underlying numbers too, particularly his ability to win ground duels - demonstrated in the lead-up to his first Championship goal.

He was extremely unfortunate to have not added a second strike in three games against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night, were it not for the defensive brilliance of Max O'Leary and Charlie Taylor.

Ibrahim Osman form could leave Chris Davies with Demarai Gray dilemma amid injury developments

Osman, like many of his counterparts in Blues' attacking midfield and wide positions, has the capability to feature in an array of positions. However, due to the form of Vicente since his switch from Deportivo Alaves, as well as that of Jay Stansfield, Marvin Ducksch and Roberts, it is not an automatic guarantee that Davies will switch things up immediately.

As such, this could leave the Birmingham boss with a dilemma regarding Demarai Gray, who returned to action as a second-half substitute against the Baggies, and could be back amongst the starting lineup for the FA Cup clash with Leeds United on Sunday.

The 29-year-old has been a revelation for his hometown club after returning last summer, scoring five times, providing four assists and adding high-level quality in just 23 appearances this season before he sustained a calf issue.