Kevin Phillips backs Sam Allardyce to run rule over West Brom striker Kenneth Zohore
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 tipped Sam Allardyce to run the rule over Kenneth Zohore in the summer if he stays at West Brom.
Zohore, 27, has spent the season on loan at Millwall but has failed to impress with just two goals in 17 Championship appearances in what has been an injury-plagued campaign.
Last season, the Danish forward also struggled for the Baggies and that led to Slaven Bilic and Luke Dowling loaning him out.
However, Phillips feels as though Zohore is an archetypal striker for Allardyce and could be utilised by the manager if he opts to stay put at The Hawthorns.
“I think Sam will look at [Zohore], I think you have to,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“We know he can play at this level so why would you not bring him back, have a look at him in pre-season and have a chat to see what he’s thinking?
“He kind of fits that mould of a big, physical centre-forward Sam likes. He’s big, powerful, he can move.
“It just hasn’t quite happened for him at West Brom but maybe after that loan spell away he’ll come back refreshed under a new manager and, you never knew, he might shine.
“I definitely feel they’ll have a look at him in pre-season. In my opinion, you’d be crazy not to.”
Zohore is certainly no stranger to the Championship having made 111 appearances in England’s second-tier in his career and scoring 28 goals.
He’s never been a prolific marksman but link-up play with Albion’s talented attacking midfielders and wide players could be something the Dane finds himself useful at.
However, there’s no denying that Zohore has flopped badly at The Hawthorns and his struggles at The Den have further added to worries about whether he’s good enough.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Big Sam looks at Big Ken in pre-season training but we doubt he’ll still be in blue and white stripes at the start of next season unless it’s for someone like Huddersfield or Kilmarnock.
In other West Brom news, this 23-year-old could be released by Albion next month with a Championship move on the cards.
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