Okay Yokuslu pitched as potential solution to West Brom defensive injury crisis
Joe Chapman has pitched Okay Yokuslu as a solution to the defensive injury crisis at West Brom, suggesting he could start in a back three against Coventry City.
Carlos Corberan’s side currently have limited options in defence after Cedric Kipre picked up an injury in the closing stages of Albion’s win over Queen’s Park Rangers on Tuesday (24 October), joining Semi Ajayi on the list of defenders unavailable to the Spaniard.
That has left the former Huddersfield Town boss short of defensive options ahead of the trip to Coventry on Monday (30 October) but Birmingham Live reporter Chapman believes that Yokuslu could deputise alongside Erik Pieters and Kyle Bartley.
Writing for Birmingham Live on Thursday (26 October) he said: “Albion’s midfield is currently the deepest, the one area where there are currently no serious injury issues for any of Corberan’s candidates when it comes to selecting his pairing in the centre.
“Nathaniel Chalobah’s redemption is expected to continue here after some sterling showings lately, while Alex Mowatt’s introduction on Tuesday from the bench was impressive, too. Okay Yokuslu, then, is another option to Corberan in the back three.
“A player who has been recognised by the Spaniard as a player who can fill in back there if needed, having done so in the back three for Getafe in La Liga prior to his Albion return – that run included helping his side to a goalless draw against Barcelona, no less.
“By no means like for like, but Albion don’t really have the luxury of that scenario at this moment.”
Do a job
The next few games may just show West Brom supporters just how good a manager they currently have at the helm as Corberan will have to get creative to put out a side that is capable of beating Coventry City away from home, without several key players.
Yokosulu doesn’t seem to be an obvious starter in the middle of the park but has been in reasonable form so far this season, so a temporary switch to centre-back may well offer him a way of receiving regular minutes at The Hawthorns, even if not in his ideal position.
You would hope that if the Turkish midfielder was able to keep a clean sheet against Barcelona while at the heart of the defence, he would be able to do similar against the Sky Blues for the Baggies, but it would be a risky call from Corberan.
With Pipa and Caleb Taylor patiently waiting in the wings for their opportunity, it is more than likely that one of the pair will replace Kipre but should Corberan not deem them to be ready for a start in the Championship, the only other clear option would be Yokuslu.
In other West Brom news, Chalobah has now been deemed “undroppable” at The Hawthorns after recent displays