:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28962863/174342116.0.jpg)
Rumors near the end of last August had Jordon Ibe set to head elsewhere for at least part of the 2013-2014 season; I can't quite recall (and am too lazy to actually look) if there were any teams strongly linked, but the general wisdom had the youngster in line to get minutes away from Anfield to continue the growth he'd experienced since coming into the first-team picture at Liverpool. And while it didn't come off in August--lack of depth again proving the culprit--it finally has as February winds down, as he'll spend the rest of the season in the Championship with Birmingham City
Chances weren't coming in the senior squad despite Ibe's promise, and whenever he featured in the youth setup it was clear that he needed more of a challenge, so a move to the West Midlands should provide both regular minutes and a level that can push him along. He's capable of having an impact immediately, and as the post on the Birmingham site notes, he'll have a chance to feature tomorrow when Lee Clark's squad visits Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool.
Birmingham are nine points off the relegation zone in the Championship but have only won once since the turn of the year, and will need to start gathering up points during the run-in to ensure survival for next season. Ibe doesn't necessarily have the experience but will surely be one of the more talented players in the squad, and if he hits the ground running, the move should be mutually beneficial.
Hopefully we'll get plenty of opportunities to see him in action from now until May, and that his first true foray into regular first-team football is a successful one.
