Cedric Kipre set for West Brom stay after announcement on Tuesday
West Brom are set to keep centre-back Cedric Kipre this season after they announced his senior squad number for the upcoming season.
Despite reports that the club had not yet made a decision on the 26-year-old [Darren Witcoop], last season’s Cardiff City loanee looks to remain at The Hawthorns to don the number four shirt.
Kipre had a good spell on loan with Cardiff last season, only missing four games and even earning himself three goals from central defence.
Kipre has been given the number four shirt, which would strongly imply he is in Carlos Corberan’s plans for their latest Championship campaign.
His spell in Wales was a real success, having earned himself a full season of experience despite Cardiff’s tough season. Kipre has shown his excellent technical ability and passing range last season, and Corberan seems keen to add his profile to his squad.
He said, via the Express and Star, that Kipre is a player with “very good technical skills. If you want to be dominant with the ball, you need players with good technical skills. We have changed ideas, I have new behaviours to introduce – yes.”
This will give the Ivorian hope to be a regular next season and that hopefully he is one of the “changes” Corberan wants to implement. The Baggies will want to challenge for a playoff spot next season after failing since their return to the Championship in 2020/21.
Kipre also got some good minutes for the club on Saturday (15 July) after the Baggies’ 3-1 pre-season victory over Shrewsbury Town and will look to continue his good form until the start of the season.
Competition may be fierce for a starting spot at centre-back, with Semi Ajayi and Erik Pieters likely to take up minutes next season. However, with Dara O’Shea departing the club for Burnley, perhaps Kipre sees this as his perfect chance to crack into the first team.
Time will tell for Kipre, but a good pre-season will be vital if he wants to catch Corberan’s eye.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has discussed two returning players who could have an impact on the Baggies’ promotion bid next season.