Chris Davies has unlocked new Birmingham City weapon - it’s seriously exciting | OneFootball

Marvin Ducksch has been in inspired form of late for Blues

Birmingham City's overly positive start to 2026 continued in midweek when Chris Davies' side eventually brushed Sheffield Wednesday aside with a much-needed away victory at Hillsborough, running out 2-0 victors in the process.

After what had been a frustrating performance and 1-1 draw against Swansea City three days beforehand, it looked as though the travelling army of Bluenoses were in for yet another underwhelming night in the Steel City.

That was until Marvin Ducksch continued his inspired run of recent form with a seventh goal of the season across all competitions as his vital touch steered Jay Stansfield's initial effort past the Owls' loan shot-stopper, Murphy Cooper, on 83 minutes, before Kyogo Furuhashi finally recorded his first Championship goal for the club.

Such developments also came hours after Birmingham were able to confirm the signing of their latest attacking outlet, as August Priske joined on a five-and-a-half year deal after scoring 18 times in 27 league appearances for Swedish Allsvenskan outfit, Djurgardens IF.

Blues have seen plenty of change occur within their squad under Knighthead Capital Management's ownership, and it is fair to say that this has been perfectly encapsulated by the vast amount of turnover in the attacking department.

Indeed, only Jay Stansfield was a member of Blues' previous squad at Championship level which suffered relegation in 2023/24, whilst the recently-departed Lyndon Dykes and Alfie May were also only acquired in the lead-up to the record-breaking campaign in League One.

As such, Ducksch has formed part of a new-look frontline at St. Andrew's alongside top scorer Stansfield and Furuhashi, whilst Priske will make up the rest of a strong quartet starting later this week, when he could make his debut versus Stoke City.

However, whilst Davies signalled out the uniqueness which the Danish youth international will bring to his side, it is fair to say that the 21-year-old will not be handed opportunities on a plate, largely down to the rich vein of form which the German forward currently finds himself in.

Marvin Ducksch has finally started to make his mark at Birmingham City

Ducksch's switch to Blues was completed on the eve of the season opener against Ipswich Town, with the striker penning a three-year contract, joining from Werder Bremen, for a reported £1.75m.

Despite not exactly being the youngest of strikers on the market, there was still plenty of hype which surrounded the deal. After all, the 6'1" figure has two caps for the German national team to his name, both coming within the past two-and-a-half years too.

Given his prior pedigree, there was an expectancy that he and Kyogo would both deliver several goals between them, and whilst it is starting to click for both of the experienced forwards, it certainly took Ducksch less time to get over his initial struggles at the beginning of the season.

After suffering a calf issue, the striker missed a fair portion of Bremen's pre-season and, subsequently, didn't make his Blues bow until August 26th in the EFL Cup defeat to Port Vale.

However, after a handful of substitute cameos, the 31-year-old began to showcase his talent in November, which included a run of three goals in as many games against Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion, whilst also linking up well in possession with the likes of Jay Stansfield, Demarai Gray and Patrick Roberts as he offered Davies a focal point to build play around.

A run of seven appearances without a goal and a minor incident at the full-time whistle with a supporter after the 3-0 loss at Watford on New Year's Day did set brief alarm bells ringing. However, the striker has since returned to form, with his all-round game key to an upsurge in results.

Blues mixed up their approach against Coventry City on January 4th, and Ducksch proved to be the beneficiary with another brace of smart finishes against the leaders, before also netting against Cambridge United in the FA Cup.

His intelligent movement and speed of thought has also been crucial in a return of four points from six in the last week too, initially setting up Roberts for the equaliser against the Swans, before his poacher's instinct opened the scoring in S6 on Tuesday.

Marvin Ducksch's game-changing ability has been highlighted by Chris Davies

Despite a prior record of 54 goals in 136 appearances for Werder Bremen, Davies didn't just bring Ducksch to St. Andrew's to lead the line, as he has clearly proven to be just as effective in the 'number 10' role which has so often been the position held by Stansfield in recent times.

It was no surprise, therefore, to see the Blues boss highlight how well the Dortmund native has adapted to his latest tactical tweak.

"I’ve played him as a nine most of the time but I've put him back as a 10 in the last four games and he's been thriving in that role because he’s a creative player with a good touch and good awareness. That was a real striker’s finish," said Davies.

With recent arrival, Priske, being described as a "complete forward", Davies will now have a dilemma in the upcoming weeks as to how he potentially fits his in-form striker, club-record signing and new recruit into the same lineup. But, as a manager, the 40-year-old would, undoubtedly, rather have such positive-looking puzzles in mind above all else.