Exclusive: Don Goodman reacts as Sunderland AFC eye ex-West Brom star - It's a "gamble" | OneFootball

The Sky Sports pundit has questioned the Black Cats' approach for the former West Brom defender

Pundit Don Goodman has questioned whether Cedric Kipre would be the right move for Sunderland, as the Black Cats prepare for life in the Premier League.

Each of the relegated sides in the 2024/25 campaign conceded 80 goals or more. With Wolves' 69 conceded representing the closest tally to that, it's imperative that the promoted sides for next season sure up their defence and become tough to beat.

Therefore, Regis Le Bris' side are considering the Ivorian defender as a "serious option" to bolster their defensive options ahead of 2025/26, per AfricaFoot.

28-year-old Kipre is a Championship veteran, having made 174 appearances in the second tier for the likes of Wigan, Cardiff City and, most recently, West Brom. However, he is yet to make his debut in the top flight in England.

Additionally, he was part of the Stade Reims side who suffered relegation out of Ligue 1 this season after losing the relegation play-off to Metz.

Therefore, former West Brom and Wolves striker and current Sky Sports pundit, Don Goodman, believes that bringing Kipre back to England would be a big risk for Sunderland.

Don Goodman assesses Sunderland "gamble" to bring in Cedric Kipre

Don Goodman described Sunderland's intentions to move for Cedric Kipre as "a tiny bit surprising" as he spoke exclusively to FLW.

"He's just played a season in Ligue 1 for Reims and they got relegated, although that was mostly because they struggled to score goals - only two teams scored less than them.

"Nevertheless, if you play in a relegated team you are part of that scenario," he said.

"Other than that, has be displayed the attributes and capabilities of a Premier League defender? I'm not so sure.

"It would be a gamble, but sometimes gambles pay off."

Sunderland would give Cedirc Kipre first taste of Premier League football

Despite being on the books of a couple of Premier League clubs, Cedric Kipre is yet to play in the top flight of English football in his career.

Kipre was under contract at Leicester as a 19-year-old prospect when the Foxes won the title in 2016, but more recently was bought by West Brom in the summer of 2020 ahead of their return to the Premier League. However, he didn't make a league appearance at the Hawthorns until the following season.

He was heavily unfavoured at West Brom, even heading out on loan to Cardiff in the 2022/23 season, until the 2023/24 season when, under Carlos Corberan, he excelled, winning the club's players' and supporters' player of the season.

Proving himself as a top-class Championship defender earned him a move to the top flight of French football last summer. Despite suffering relegation, he played in a backline which conceded just 47 goals, the same as runners-up Marseille, and also played a prominent role in Reims' unlikely run to the Coupe De France final, where they lost to PSG.

This summer, Kipre could be on the move again, and if it is to the Stadium of Light, it won't be long until he makes his maiden bow in the Premier League.