Bristol City’s Taylor Gardner-Hickman is available to sign a permanent contract with Birmingham City.
One of the numerous reasons for Birmingham City’s successful start to the League One season has been the development of Taylor Gardner-Hickman as a crucial utility player.
Gardner-Hickman, a native of Stourbridge who gained notoriety with West Bromwich Albion, was brought in on loan from Bristol City to help Chris Davies’ midfield options after Jordan James left. Many questioned how frequently Gardner-Hickman would play in early September given the quality of the Blues’ engine room, which included Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho putting the gifted Marc Leonard into a watching brief.
However, after the summer transfer window ended, Gardner-Hickman has started nine games and appeared in 11 of the Blues’ 12 games. Ethan Laird’s two-month layoff and backup right-back Alfons Sampsted’s international trip and subsequent food poisoning gave Gardner-Hickman the opportunity, which he seized.
In Laird’s absence, Gardner-Hickman demonstrated his worth to Davies with a series of strong performances at right-back. “He’s disciplined, if you give him a job he will do it perfectly, and he works really hard,” Davies wrote a month ago.
Gardner-Hickman obviously has a coachable brain, which is something Davies appreciates. The 22-year-old has not only excelled in two roles, but he has also played right-back in two different ways.
In order to provide Blues an extra body in the position he knows best, he has occasionally slid into midfield, although his high and wide style of play fits the system and is how Laird plays the role.
Because of his versatility, Gardner-Hickman didn’t have to worry about getting lost amid the Blues’ incredibly talented third division team. This season, Gardner-Hickman has already logged over 800 minutes with the Blues.
Gardner-Hickman is a talent that every team needs, and like many of the Blues’ summer acquisitions, he has the potential to develop with the team. Gardner-Hickman has already made 95 appearances in the Championship, and the evidence suggests that he should wear the Blues’ colors for his century.
Gardner-Hickman has already bid farewell to his parent club, Bristol City, and the Blues have the opportunity to sign him permanently. “It has been a pleasure and an honor to have played for this amazing club, with even better people inside,” Gardner-Hickman wrote in a post to Robins supporters following his August transfer to St Andrew’s. I want to thank the staff, players, and supporters who have helped me during my time here at the football club, as well as everyone who made me feel so welcome. I appreciate this club and the chance to play and make memories in front of you, Robins. I hope the future holds nothing but the best for everyone at Bristol City. Robins, thank you.
Gardner-Hickman hasn’t done anything to imply that the Blues shouldn’t pursue their option, so that seems quite final. To eliminate some of the ambiguity before the end-of-season run-in, they might even do it in January.
