Birmingham City leapfrogged West Bromwich Albion in the Championship standings on Saturday afternoon when they won 1-0 at The Hawthorns.
The only goal of the game was scored in the first half when August Priske struck from the penalty spot after being fouled by Baggies central defender Nat Phillips.
Chris Davies’ side are now seventh in the Championship table, inside the new and extended play-offs, whilst West Brom have dropped down to ninth place.
Both teams seem to lack the one mercurial talent who can drag them into the automatic promotion chase, as fellow second tier side West Ham United have in Jarrod Bowen.
How Jarrod Bowen carries West Ham in the Championship
Despite missing a penalty to win the match for his side against Queens Park Rangers in the league on Friday night, the England international has carried his team this season.
Bowen opted to put pen to paper on a new contract at the London Stadium after their relegation from the Premier League and has looked like a player who is too good for the Championship.
The left-footed star has delivered five goals and three assists in nine appearances in the second tier in the 2026/27 campaign so far, averaging almost one goal contribution per game.
|
26/27 Championship |
Jarrod Bowen |
West Ham rank |
|---|---|---|
|
xG |
5.20 |
1st |
|
Shots on target per game |
1.6 |
1st |
|
Goals |
5 |
1st |
|
xA |
3.22 |
1st |
|
Big chances created |
9 |
1st |
|
Key passes per game |
2.8 |
1st |
|
Assists |
3 |
1st |
|
Goal contributions |
8 |
1st |
Bowen has carried the Hammers offensively by being the player who offers the biggest threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the right side of their attack, cutting in to take shots and create chances.
West Ham can collect points from games even when the overall team is not clicking, because they have a top-quality attacker who can create a goal, whether that is by scoring or assisting, out of nothing.
How West Brom or Birmingham can sign their own Bowen
West Brom and Birmingham, though, could find their own version of Bowen by making use of the January transfer window at the turn of the year.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal winger Max Dowman could be allowed to leave the Premier League champions on loan in the winter window after he turns 17 in December.
The report claims that virtually every team in England are keeping tabs on the teenage talent’s situation in case he becomes available on loan for the second half of the season.
Whilst Birmingham and West Brom were not explicitly named as interested clubs, it would make sense if they were among the teams looking at the left-footed ace, as he would be a terrific addition to their respective squads.
Both clubs should push to sign him in January if Arsenal make the forward available on loan because he could arrive in the Championship as their own version of Bowen.
Like the West Ham star, Dowman is a left-footed attacking midfielder who typically plays on the right side of the frontline, allowing him to drift infield onto his stronger foot.
|
Vs Ipswich |
Max Dowman |
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
90 |
|
Pass accuracy |
92% |
|
Chances created |
1 |
|
Shots |
3 |
|
Goals |
2 |
|
Dribbles completed |
3 |
|
Ground duels won |
8/16 |
The 16-year-old wing wizard showcased his quality at senior level in a League Cup clash with Ipswich Town earlier this season, scoring two goals, creating one chance, and completing three dribbles.
Last season, Dowman also became the youngest player to ever score a goal in the Premier League when he struck against Everton at the age of 15 years and 308 days.
He was once described as the “biggest talent in England” by Hale End academy expert Will Balsam and it is hard to argue with that assessment when you consider his achievements at first-team level before turning 17.
On top of setting Premier League records and winning the top-flight, Dowman has also racked up 20 goals and ten assists in 25 matches for Arsenal’s U19s and five goals in six matches for their U18s.
His statistics at academy level for the Gunners suggest that he can be a Bowen-esque talent for West Brom or Birmingham with the way that he can create and score goals at an exceptional rate as a left-footed attacking midfield player.
Dowman’s three senior goals for Arsenal, all coming against Premier League-grade opposition, also suggest that he already has the mentality and maturity to deliver in a first-team environment.
Therefore, the Baggies or the Blues could land a seriously impressive talent and their own version of Bowen if they can strike a loan deal for the youngster in January.
