Carlton Palmer shares West Brom ‘concern’ as Carlos Corberan drops transfer hint
Carlton Palmer believes West Brom need to strengthen in three key areas especially the defence after Carlos Corberan dropped a hint he could enter the free agent market for reinforcements.
The Baggies boss, as reported by BirminghamLive (7 September), noted how much the marketplace has changed in recent years, pointing to “new markets” like Saudi Arabia and their prolonged window.
Corberan hinted at further transfer activity at the Hawthorns, however, suggesting that the pool of free agents could be tapped into to strengthen the squad.
And speaking exclusively to Football League World (9 September), Palmer believes West Brom’s defensive record so far this season would be a major “concern” for Corberan and the position needs reinforcements alongside the midfield and forward positions.
“Carlos Corberan has stated that West Bromwich Albion will be looking at the free agent market.
We all know West Brom are tight for money and have had to sell players to balance the books, that’s the way it’s been, they’ve had to let players go to be able to bring players in.
“I think West Brom need to strengthen in all areas, they need reinforcements at the back, in midfield and up front, but particularly defensively for me after conceding 10 goals in five games, that is a concern so early on in the season.”
Limited market
It is certainly difficult to disagree with Palmer on his Baggies stance, and if West Brom harbour any ambitions to be proper playoff contenders this season, they certainly do need reinforcements, especially in defence.
Albion have depth in the attacking areas with the likes of Maja, Sarmiento, Jed Wallace, John Swift, Matt Phillips, Grady Diangana and Brandon Thomas-Asante and they are well stocked in midfield, so the defence should be the priority.
One injury to Semi Ajayi or Cedric Kipre could leave Corberan in a real panic.
West Brom are no stranger to a free agent signing and, like most Championship sides, could always benefit from an injection of quality personnel to keep the squad fresh.
The Baggies have not been too active in the market amid their ongoing financial difficulties, but the deals they have done are impactful.
Josh Maja was a free agent and could prove a real coup in the long run but questions remain whether West Brom can find the suitable targets again because the free agent market is a limited one.
Having lost the likes of Karlan Grant and Taylor Gardner-Hickman, club captain Jake Livermore and start centre-back Dara O’Shea, it would be tough to find a Baggies fan who thinks their current squad is an improvement on last season’s.
If Corberan is able to tap into the free agent market to find the right acquisitions then the Spaniard should be given serious credit but right now, that ambition looks uncertain.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has made an incredible Baggies transfer admission.