Birmingham City made some critical changes this summer, which in turn resulted in a pretty positive start to the season overall – despite losing their last two games to Fulham and Peterborough.
The Blues have made some costly mistakes over the years and were deducted nine points in 2019 for violating the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules, but one player who ended up being a cheap punt for the club was Fran Villalba.
After playing for Valencia’s B team for several years, Villalba moved to the Blues on a free transfer in the summer of 2019 and was brought to the club by Pep Clotet and played 17 times in the first half of his debut season.
However, Villalba quickly dropped the pecking order and was loaned to Almeria, and in the 2020/21 season that original loan was extended.
Are these 22 Birmingham City stats real or fake?
The club has won promotion to the Premier League more than 4 times.
Real fake
Although Villalba does not have a permanent contract on the table, he joins Sporting Gijon of Spain’s second division on loan in the last year of his contract at St. Andrew’s – but how has he been doing this season so far?
Pretty good all in all.
The 23-year-old has started all six of Gijon’s games this season in an attacking midfield role and has started adding some much-needed goal contributions to his all-round game.
Villalba’s first assist of the season came in a 2-1 away win at Girona and has scored in his last two consecutive games against Leganes and Eibar respectively.
He seems to be thriving in his homeland, but the question remains – would he still get a job for Birmingham?
Villalba showed lightning fast skills in his first few games, but his small stature meant he was quite overwhelmed by the opposing championship defense.
Lee Bowyer now has Tahith Chong in Villalba’s favorite position and it feels like when the season is over and Villalba’s contract is renewed he will return to Spain on a permanent deal.
