Nathan Judah and Joseph Masi discussed all of the latest West Bromwich Albion news on the most recent edition of The Express and Star’s Baggies Broadcast podcast and during the show, they spent some time talking about Cedric Kipre, who joined the Baggies from Wigan Athletic last month for £990k.
The Baggies’ Technical Director Luke Dowling spoke highly of Kipre after this transfer was completed, saying that the 23-year-old “has got the potential to really establish himself as a Premier League defender.” Dowling explained that he felt the centre-back was a “very impressive figure” for the Latics in England’s second-tier last season and as a result, he had been a Baggies target “for some time.”
Kipre also shared some excitement over the prospect of playing in the Premier League after completing this move to the West Midlands club but during this recent edition of the Baggies Broadcast podcast, Masi suggested that the defender is not going to enjoy much top-flight game time this term and he may even be sent out on loan by West Brom in the January transfer window.
He said: “Looking into that transfer a little bit more, what I understand is Albion very much see him as a player for the future.
“I think they’re quite keen to have him training with the first team now and learning off Bilic and the players around him. I think when they signed him, it is with one eye for the future.
“I don’t know if I’d be shocked to see him go out on loan in January even, maybe secure a loan move, play for six months.
“I don’t think he’s going to feature a lot early on but that doesn’t mean to say I don’t think he’s got a big future at Albion because I think he probably has.”
Is Kipre good enough for the Premier League right now?
YES
NO
TIF Thoughts on what Masi had to say about Kipre and his future…
So, if what Masi said about Kipre during this podcast is to be believed, then it would seem as though the Baggies aren’t planning to use Kipre regularly in the Premier League this term and he is viewed as more of a prospect for the future than a current star.
This may be understandable when you consider that the 23-year-old has never played in England’s top-flight before, however, considering how excited the defender seemed to be about possibly playing in the Premier League following his move to The Hawthorns and as it seems like Masi does have high hopes for the defender’s future at the club, hopefully for Kipre, he gets an opportunity to show what he can do in a top-flight fixture before the transfer window, as if he can make the most of that opportunity, then maybe more chances in the top-flight will follow.