When Pep Clotet took over the reins at St Andrew's earlier this summer following Garry Monk's departure, nobody quite knew how the opening few weeks of Birmingham City's 2019/20 campaign would pan out.

Whilst the 42-year-old was sacked from his previous managerial role by Oxford United last year, his insistence of playing an attractive brand of football did lead to several fantastic displays of football in League One.

Having stuck by these principles, Clotet soon won over the trust of Birmingham's players who illustrated during pre-season a willingness to change their style.

After snatching a somewhat fortunate victory earlier this month over Brentford, the Blues have since gone onto to amass a further points in the Championship to take their total to seven for the year.

Currently eighth in the league standings, Birmingham could well in for an exciting campaign under Clotet, especially if one of their new arrivals continues to impress.

Signed earlier this month from Valencia on a free transfer (via BBC Sport), Fran Villalba has made a promising start to his Birmingham career.

After performing admirably at full-back against Bristol City on his debut, the 21-year-old has since featured as a left winger as well as a central attacking midfielder with the latter of the three roles being his preferred position.

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Given the opportunity to operate in hole just behind the striker during the club's 2-0 victory over Barnsley, Villalba produced a wonderful performance for his side as he proved to be a real menace.

Whilst the midfielder didn't play a direct role in either of the Blues' goals, it seems as if it is only a matter of time before he registers his first assist in English football.

Whereas many at Birmingham will be delighted by Villalba's recent impact for the club, one man may be feeling slightly aggrieved at the emergence of his team-mate.

Brought to St Andrew's by Clotet earlier this summer from Dutch side Willem II (via BBC Sport), Daniel Crowley started all four of the Blues' fixtures before being benched in midweek.

Although the midfielder wouldn't have taken this minor setback to heart, he may now be worried about his chances of playing regular first-team football having seen Villalba thrive in a role which he has played in this season.

Despite being blessed with an abundance of talent, the fact that Crowley has yet to prove himself at Championship level during his career may result in him being forced to watch on from the sidelines due to the form of his rival.

In order to prevent the real possibility of his career stagnating at Birmingham, the 22-year-old will now have to prove to Clotet in training why he deserves to be in the club's starting eleven on a regular basis.