Valerien getting clear picture of the state of play
WEST Brom’s recruitment drive is about to accelerate as their pre-season campaign kicks into gear.
The Baggies’ Under-23s played out a goalless draw with Banbury United on Saturday and are back in action at Tamworth tonight.
Following that, the first team go to Woking on Friday and Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday, Watford and Blues then await before the Championship term commences.
New head coach Valerien Ismael, who has already made a very positive impression on staff at the training ground, has been working his players hard in order to prepare them for what is to come.
He will already know Albion are short in certain areas across the pitch.
The wing-back positions – if, as predicted, Ismael adopts a back three – are light on senior cover, especially if Conor Townsend and Darnell Furlong are unavailable.
The midfield has been boosted by the signing of Alex Mowatt but that area was decimated at the end of last season when the loanees left.
Albion secured the services of highly-rated teenager Quevin Moises Castro on a two-year-deal yesterday, following a successful trial period.
Castro, who was previously part
of Chelsea’s development squad, has signed until the summer of 2023, with an option of a further year in the club’s favour.
The Portuguese youngster, who turns 20 next month, is an energetic and powerful central midfielder.
Trevoh Chalobah, also of Chelsea, is another player on Ismael’s radar. He spent time in France last season after Championship loans with Ipswich and Huddersfield. He can operate in midfield and defence. At 22, he fits the bill.
Up front, Albion are short on natural centre-forward options after the exits of Hal Robson-Kanu and Mbaye Diagne.
Romaine Sawyers and Sam Johnstone have both been away on international duty, so Ismael has been taking a look at the youngsters in training. Those players will have an opportunity to show what they can do in a match environment during the upcoming friendly fixtures.
Defensively, Albion are well stocked in terms of centre-backs, but it’s more about having the ‘right’ players for Ismael. Cedric Kipre is back in the frame after returning from his loan, while Dara O’Shea, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi are all options.
Bartley is attracting interest from several Premier League sides, including Burnley, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, but Albion are intent on retaining the player.
Bartley’s contract was extended until 2022 towards the end of last season and he is believed to be happy at The Hawthorns.
That said, Albion are keen to bring in extra players in that area. Matt Clarke, the Brighton defender who has spent the last two years on loan at Derby, will bring that cover. The 24-year-old is expected to arrive on loan.
The Baggies have also been credited with an interest in Kean Bryan. The defender, also 24, is a Manchester City academy graduate and is a free agent after leaving Sheffield United.
In regard to outgoings, Johnstone and Matheus Pereira have their Premier League admirers and Ismael expects both to leave.