West Bromwich Albion have seen quite a few players leaving the Midlands membership prior to now who’ve gone on to achieve success elsewhere.
One participant who suits this explicit invoice is defender Craig Dawson.
After racking up 225 appearances for the Baggies throughout all competitions between 2010 and 2019, the centre-back spent a while with Watford earlier than joining West Ham United on a everlasting foundation final summer season following a profitable mortgage spell.
In 74 appearances to date for the east London membership, the 32-year-old has scored eight objectives, offered two assists and helped the Hammers get to the semi-finals of this season’s Europa League.
To additional spotlight how spectacular the previous Baggies defender has been for West Ham, he ended the 2021/22 Premier League season with extra blocks (30) and clearances (145) than some other participant in David Moyes’ squad.
Now that Steve Bruce is in cost at The Hawthorns and has spoken about potential overhaul happening on the membership in the course of the upcoming switch window, he now has the prospect to deliver what may lastly be an appropriate substitute for Dawson to the membership.
Earlier this month, the Baggies had been linked with a transfer for Blackburn defender Darragh Lenihan as soon as his present contract at Ewood Park runs out on the finish of subsequent month.
Making an allowance for how the Irishman posted the second-highest variety of blocks (0.8) and clearances per sport (4.1) for Blackburn within the Championship this season, and the third-highest variety of tackles and second-most interceptions made, he definitely has the defensive chops to be a stable addition to the West Brom ranks.
Would Darragh Lenihan be signing for West Brom?
These defensive abilities may make him a dream substitute for Dawson, who has proven this season how inspiration a presence he might be from centre-back.
Having additionally ended the season as Blackburn’s highest-rated participant when it comes to his total performances in keeping with WhoScored, it’s clear that Lenihan has what it takes to be a standout determine within the Championship, which is strictly what the Baggies might must get them again within the body for promotion subsequent yr.
Labelled a “particular footballer” and a “man mountain” on the pitch by Tony Mowbray, the £2.7m-rated machine ought to undoubtedly be on Bruce’s switch listing if strengthening the defence is one in all his priorities for the summer season. The 28-year-old might be the Dawson-esque presence that Wesy Brom have been lacking since 2019.
In different information: Unhealthy information: Bruce heading for large switch calamity as West Brom eye transfer for £1.7m dud