Three areas Birmingham City could strengthen in January

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With the January transfer window now open, HITC Sport looks at three key areas in which Birmingham City may be looking for reinforcements.

Now lingering towards the wrong end of the Championship table, Birmingham City will be hoping to turn their fortunes around this January. New boss Gianfranco Zola, who took over from popular boss Gary Rowett at the end of last year, will be hoping to use the transfer to bring in his own players, in order to start taking the Midlands giant up the table toward the play-off places; a position a club of this size should be aiming for at the very least.

With that in mind, we take a look at three key areas where Birmingham City might be looking to recruit, to either add something different to their team, or to improve on a significantly weak area of the team.

Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola during the press conference

A New Central Defender

Birmingham City have been poor at the back since Gary Rowett’s departure, and it is very likely that Zola will be looking to bring in a new centre-half to reinforce his backline. Likely to look at his former clubs for reinforcements, Zola may turn to out-of-favour West Ham defender James Collins. The Welsh defender is struggling for game time in London at the minute, and may prove to be a more financially realistic option for Zola as he looks to improve his back line.

West Ham United’s Adrian with James Collins

A New Left Back

Birmingham City have also had to make do with a rather make-shift defence in recent weeks, and this is likely to drive Zola into the transfer market yet again. With the club now full of money to spend, there’s no reason why the Blues might not be looking for a permanent signing in this area. However, with only half the season remaining, Zola may want to utilise the loan market for a new full back. In Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and Manchester United’s Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Zola has two potentially great options to choose from if Birmingham went down the loan route.

Manchester United’s Cameron Borthwick-Jackson

A Goal-scoring Midfielder

Birmingham City desperately need an injection of creativity and goals in their midfield this season; something they have been lacking arguably for the last few seasons. With the signing of Diego Fabbrini not really working out, Zola could look to spend big on a much more exciting midfielder. With Bakary Sako of Crystal Palace struggling to hold down a first team spot, Zola could look at the Mali international as an option, as well as Brentford’s Jota, who has just come back from a long term injury.

Brentford’s Jota