In an effort to clinch promotion back to the top division, West Bromwich Albion will want to keep moving up the Championship table.
Since Carlos Corberan joined B71 in October 2022, the Baggies have routinely performed quite well. In his first season as manager, the Spaniard moved the Black Country team from the bottom of the second division standings to the verge of the top six.
Despite having little financial means, Albion has fought their way to the top of the division this season and appears determined to give it their all in hopes of making it back to the Premier League after three attempts.
Corberan had a large portion of the team he inherited from the previous season because West Brom only managed to add six players during the course of two transfer windows this year, prior to Shilen Patel’s final acquisition of the team.
| West Brom – 2023/24 Signings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed From | Loan/Permanent |
| Josh Maja | Bordeaux | Permanent |
| Jeremy Sarmiento | Brighton | Loan |
| Pipa | Ludogorets | Loan |
| Andi Weimann | Bristol City | Loan |
| Callum Marshall | West Ham | Loan |
| Mikey Johnston | Celtic | Loan |
But now, with some investment likely to come in from the Florida-based entrepreneur, Albion fans can be hopeful that the club can attract some highly-rated talent to B71.
With this in mind, Football League World lists five players from the Premier League that West Brom should consider signing for next season.
Issa Kabore
Full-back Kabore, who is on loan from Manchester City to Luton Town, is first on the defensive list. This is his first Premier League stint.
The Burkina Faso international has played a substantial amount of minutes in the top division as the Hatters attempt to keep their Premier League standing. Should he be unable to clinch a permanent move away, he is set to leave Man City once more on loan.
After Pipa leaves to rejoin Ludogorets, West Brom will need more competition at right-back regardless of the division they play in the next season. Kabore would provide Darnell Furlong with an attacking presence down the right-hand side during the campaign.
Willy Kambwala
Manchester United defender Kambwala, who joined the main squad at Old Trafford following three years in the Red Devils junior academy, rounds out the defensive possibilities.
In December 2023, the dynamic 19-year-old made his Premier League debut for Erik ten Hag against West Ham. As he acquires more experience, he has continued to earn minutes in the top division.
Albion may explore a loan arrangement, though, as Kambwala is still far down the hierarchy.
If the Baggies stay in the second division the following season, a move for Kambwala would be especially beneficial because the French youth international would be able to gain valuable experience in a competitive division and also cultivate a winning mentality under Corberan as the team is likely to fight for promotion.
In addition, the Black Country team would require additional bodies in the middle of defense because the contracts of Martin Kelly, Erik Pieters, and Cedric Kipre expire this summer.
Han-Noah Massengo
Despite being a highly regarded young midfield player, Massengo has only made a few appearances in the Premier League since joining Burnley from Bristol City in the summer.
Prior to moving to Turf Moor, the 22-year-old signed with the Robins at the age of 18, making 99 appearances at Ashton Gate.
Massengo might be a good loan option for Albion given Vincent Kompany’s limited playing time. The Baggies have a number of midfield players nearing the end of their contracts, including Alex Mowatt, Nathaniel Chalobah, and Yann M’Vila, who are expected to leave The Hawthorns if better terms cannot be reached.
A move to B71 could be the best option for all sides to help Massengo get his career back on track. His useful experience in the division from a young age and his subsequent move to a Premier League team prove that he has the quality to thrive at the highest level.
Cesare Casadei
Next is Casadei, a fellow midfielder who plays for Chelsea at the moment.
The Italian made 22 appearances in the second division and scored twice during his brief stay with Leicester City in the first part of this season.
Since returning to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window, the 21-year-old has not been able to secure a regular starting position in the first team lineup, and the West London team may loan him out once more in the summer.
Given Albion’s possible shortcomings in central midfield, Casadei, who has essential Championship experience, would be a better option than Massengo.
Divin Mubama
Mubama, a West Ham academy alum, has had difficulty making an impression on David Moyes’ first squad at the London Stadium. He appeared in the Premier League just three times last season.
In order to make room for American international Daryl Dike, who is out for the rest of 2024, there will likely be a return for current loanees Andi Weimann and Callum Marshall to Bristol City and the Hammers, respectively, next season.
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In the 2022–2023 season, Mubama demonstrated his value to West Ham’s Premier League 2 team by scoring 13 goals in 20 youth games and displaying his ability to consistently hit the back of the net.
The 19-year-old would have a better opportunity of earning consistent first-team minutes and establishing the confidence necessary to be a regular talisman in Corberan’s frontline, depending on whether Albion can clinch promotion to the top flight or not.
In addition to wanting to make an impression during his first loan stint, Mubama would infuse the Baggies’ attack with a boldness that might prove useful at different points in the campaign.