West Brom: Cedric Kipre earns new contract offer after what he did v Cardiff
Cedric Kipre has been one of the surprises of the season as far as West Brom are concerned, with his most recent display against Cardiff proving he deserves a new deal at The Hawthorns.
As things stand, his contract is set to expire at the end of the current season, but speaking to the Express & Star [14 February], Carlos Corberan confirmed the club are now in talks with Kipre to finalise a new deal.
This comes off the back of his dominant performance in that 2-0 victory, which was the culmination of how well he has stepped up since the start of the season when even Baggies fans had doubts, attracting Premier League interest.
Cedric Kipre has earned a new West Brom contract
An injury blow to Kyle Bartley, and Semi Ajayi not yet returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, meant Kipre was partnered by Erik Pieters against Cardiff, making the Ivorian the only natural centre-back on the pitch.
Typically, Pieters is a left-back, or at a push a left-sided centre-back, meaning Kipre had to step up as the main man in defence, and did just that. He made a staggering eight clearances, one block, one tackle, and one interception. [Sofascore]
His duel success rate also stood out, winning three of his four in the air and two of five on the ground as he prevented the Cardiff forwards from ever causing a serious threat to the Albion goal.
With a pass accuracy of 87 per cent, attempting 12 long passes and finding his target with six of them, he also showed how confident he has become in possession rather than just being a no-nonsense defender.
The only thing missing from his game was a goal, having missed one big chance which would have capped a fantastic display, as he missed the target with his only shot of the game.
Pundits have been full of praise for the West Brom star
Kipre’s performances so far this season have not only earned him the offer of a new deal at The Hawthorns, but plenty of praise from pundits.
Tony Brown dubbed the Ivorian a “revelation” after his display in a 2-0 victory against Rotherham earlier in the season, and he wowed Birmingham Live journalist Joe Chapman with a “brilliant” goal against Middlesbrough. Corberan, meanwhile, labelled him “excellent.”
Aside from that performance against Cardiff, Kipre has averaged 1.4 interceptions per game, 1.5 tackles per game, 4.6 ball recoveries per game and 3.7 clearances per game, having started all 30 of the games he has been available for this season. [Sofascore]
In other West Brom news, Corberan will be desperate for one player to return.
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