Carlos Corberan tips Caleb Taylor to step up for West Brom in Semi Ajayi absence
Carlos Corberan has tipped 20-year-old West Brom defender Caleb Taylor to step up when Semi Ajayi leaves with Nigeria for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January.
AFCON runs between 13 January and 11 February, meaning Ajayi could miss over a month of games for West Brom if his Nigeria side go all the way, which, according to the Express and Star [18 October], would see him miss five games.
The boss has claimed they are prepared for this scenario, and it was a contributing factor to Taylor remaining at the club rather than going out on loan.
Speaking to the Express and Star [18 October], Corberan spoke about Taylor and the possibility of Ajayi missing up to a month, stating: “One of the reasons Caleb is here is exactly for this, I want to make him ready.
“We know that Ajayi if as normal, will go with the national team in January. He’s been an important player for Nigeria so he will have possibilities.
“In football, we cannot think about January, we are in October, but I want to have the players ready, with the ideas, with the training, everything.
“Caleb is here so that when the moment arrives he is ready. That can be with Ajayi here or without him because he is with Nigeria, we can not know yet.”
Take his chance
Taylor spent last year on loan at Cheltenham Town in League One, where he has built up plenty of experience and impressive performances to set himself up for the step up to Championship football.
His only appearance so far this season came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke City, but with his EFL experience plus having trained under Corberan’s guidance and adapted to the new system all season so far, he could be poised to step into the starting side.
There is no lack of centre-back competition at The Hawthorns, with Cedric Kipre, Kyle Bartley and Erik Pieters all playing important minutes, but Corberan’s comments will be a boost to Taylor’s chances.
On top of this, having players in the starting team who have come through the academy with their goal and desire to play for the club is always a positive for the team as well as the fans. Players who are willing to fight for the shirt and know what it means to represent West Brom.
In other West Brom news, one player revealed a new timeline for his injury return recently.