'Best centre-back in the EFL' - Quashie raves about West Brom ace after display v Swansea

Nigel Quashie has been leading the praise for West Brom centre-back Semi Ajayi after his impressive performance in the 0-0 draw with Swansea on Saturday.

Although the Baggies surrendered their lead at the top of the Championship table by only taking home a point from the Liberty Stadium, it was a solid performance by Ajayi, who has gone from strength to strength since joining Albion from Rotherham in the summer.

Ajayi, 26, has made 37 appearances in all competitions for West Brom this term and is the second-highest-scoring defender in the Championship with five goals to his name.

Ajayi cost West Brom just £1.5million when they signed him from Rotherham in July [Express & Star] and ex-Baggies midfielder Quashie has suggested that was a bargain.

"£1.5million. He’s been the best centre back in the EFL for West Brom this season by a mile," he said via his personal Twitter account on Monday.

Ajayi has been ever-present for Albion this season, appearing in all but two of their Championship fixtures.

It's no coincidence that in the two games he missed, the Baggies lost on both occasions and his return to the starting line-up saw him score in the 2-0 win at Luton and kickstart the club's February revival.

West Brom are lucky to have such an athletic defender in Ajayi but the question on Bilic's mind right now is bound to be about who is going to partner him in the coming weeks.

Ahmed Hegazi is currently injured but isn't expected to be out for long and Kyle Bartley's form has dipped quite a bit.

In other West Brom news, Albion are keen to sign this West Ham central midfielder.