New West Brom owners must prioritise Cedric Kipre future as January splurge ruled out

As the January transfer window approaches, speculation is rife about whether West Brom manager Carlos Corberan will have the opportunity to strengthen his squad. Having been restricted to loan and free-agent signings in the summer due to limited investment, Corberan faces similar challenges in the upcoming window. Despite this, there is optimism for both Corberan and Baggies supporters, as a takeover seems imminent, with reports suggesting a new owner could be in place before the end of January (Express & Star, 13 December).

However, potential new owners will be constrained by new EFL rules, preventing Championship teams from exceeding 70 percent of their income on salaries, according to Adrian Goldberg (The Liquidator, 17 December). While immediate extravagant spending might be restricted, there are ways for the new owners to make a positive impact on the West Brom squad. A top priority should be securing the contract extension of Cedric Kipre, given his outstanding performances this season.

Kipre, whose Albion contract expires at the end of the 2023/24 season, showcased his exceptional skills in the recent 1-1 draw with Stoke City. He demonstrated impressive passing accuracy, completing 91 percent of his 65 attempted passes, the highest among all players on the field. Defensively, Kipre won seven of his nine duels, both in the air and on the ground (Fotmob).

Notably, Kipre stands out in the Championship for his tackling prowess, exceeding 85 percent of his positional peers in tackling dribblers per game and winning challenges in the defensive third more than 86 percent of fellow centre-backs (Fbref). Additionally, he ranks in the 83rd percentile for interceptions made per game and the 88th percentile for the highest percentage of aerial duels won per 90 minutes.

With Kipre’s dominant performances at the heart of West Brom’s defense this season, allowing him to leave for free at the end of the season would be a costly mistake. The potential new owners must prioritize securing the defender’s future with a new deal as soon as possible to avoid the need for a significant investment in a replacement centre-back of similar quality.