Mowatt was sent on loan to Boro last year because he wasn’t in Steve Bruce’s plans, and it’s possible that financial considerations played a role in this decision to reduce the wage bill.
Kipre was also excluded from the plans, but when Carlos Corberan took charge, he likely assessed these two players and recognized their potential as competent Championship players.
Their performances during their loan spells last season demonstrated their value, and Albion couldn’t be complacent about their futures; they needed to make the most of their abilities.
We previously discussed on the podcast this year that Albion couldn’t afford to hoard players, and if Cardiff or another club had made offers for Kipre or Mowatt, West Brom would probably have considered those offers.
On the other hand, Albion faced limitations in the transfer market, making only two loans and one free signing, but they required additional squad depth. They couldn’t bring in players of Mowatt and Kipre’s caliber, so they had to rely on them.
Corberan likely saw Kipre as a potential project, someone with good ball-handling skills, while Mowatt brought strong midfield playmaking abilities.
'They couldn't afford to go out and bring in anyone of the calibre of the likes of Mowatt and Kipre, so they needed to utilise them'
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Their recent form demonstrates that being loaned out as a senior player doesn’t mean your career is over. There are always managerial changes, and the shift from Bruce to Corberan was quite significant. These changes have given Mowatt and Kipre new opportunities, and they are now integral to Corberan’s plans.
Both players’ contracts expire in the summer, which is a discussion for another time, but if they maintain their current form, some tough decisions will need to be made.