Exclusive: Phillips suggests West Brom may unearth new Mahrez amid 16-goal attacker link
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has suggested that West Brom could be unearthing the new Riyad Mahrez after they were linked with Lorient attacker Yoane Wissa.
According to French news outlet Telefoot, Albion are hot on the heels of the 23-year-old winger, who is also wanted by Augsburg, Koln, Mainz, Fulham, Watford and Southampton.
Wissa has been in deadly form this season, scoring 16 goals and supplying five assists in 30 appearances for Lorient to help them win the Ligue 2 title and promotion into Ligue 1.
Before joining Leicester in January 2014, Mahrez was plying his trade in Ligue 2 for Le Havre and has since become one of the stars of the Premier League by winning the title at the King Power and with current club Manchester City.
Phillips knows Mahrez well from playing alongside him at Leicester and he reckons Wissa could end up like the Algeria international if he moves to England and makes a name for himself at The Hawthorns.
“It’s always tough [to tell how good they’d be in England]. I was lucky enough to sign on the same day as Riyad Mahrez at Leicester and he came from Ligue 2 and he turned out to not be a bad player,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“There are little gems out there and I’m sure if West Brom are really interested, they would’ve done their homework and scouting and left no stone unturned. What’s his attitude like? Can he manage the intensity of the Premier League or Championship? They’ll do all that.
“If they are serious about it then, as shown with Mahrez, you can unearth some of these gems.”
We certainly hope that Wissa can be the new Mahrez – especially if he joins West Brom whenever the transfer window re-opens.
Ligue 2 is a good breeding ground for developing players and even though Wissa will turn 24 later this year, it seems that he is more than good enough to make the step up from France’s second-tier.
In other West Brom news, West Ham and Sheffield United have made their minds up about Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson’s loan deals at The Hawthorns.
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