Man City can hand West Brom a Danny Imray 2.0 and leave Wrexham AFC jealous | OneFootball

West Brom can put to bed any worries about replacing Danny Imray with the signing of Issa Kabore

West Brom are heading into their first full campaign under the leadership of James Morrison, and will be looking to pick up where they left off during his spell as interim head coach.

The Baggies were difficult to break down throughout last year, but that was emphasised during Morrison's time in the dugout. His side kept seven clean sheets in an eight-game run to help secure safety ahead of the final day.

A lot of that was down to a strong defensive core, but also due to how Morrison was able to get West Brom playing mainly in the opposition's half, pegging them back with dangerous wide assets both on the wing and at full-back.

Therefore, it was a real disappointment when Danny Imray, who excelled in the second half of last season at the Hawthorns on loan from Crystal Palace, wasn't going to return to the club, instead joining divisional rivals Wrexham for £5 million.

West Brom should push for Issa Kabore to replace Danny Imray this summer

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According to football finance expert and professor Rob Wilson in The i, West Brom have between £3 million and £6 million to bolster their squad between now and September 1, and are linked with a couple of players, namely Issa Kabore.

The 25-year-old has been contracted to Manchester City for six years now, but has yet to make his debut for the Premier League giants, heading out on loan seven times since, including to Luton Town during their top-flight campaign in 2023/24 and Wrexham last year.

Kabore registered eight assists in 30 Championship games for the Red Dragons last season and was one of the better attacking full-backs in the division.

Per Fotmob, his 38 successful dribbles had him in the top 3% of Championship right-backs, the 11 times he won possession in the final third had him in the top 6%, and his 10 big chances created had him in the top 11%.

Issa Kabore would provide good competition to fellow summer signing Nolan Galves

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West Brom have already signed a right-back this summer, though, signing Nolan Galves from French second-tier side Rodez, who he helped reach the play-offs last year, picking up eight assists in 34 outings.

Like Kabore, Galves was one of the better attacking right-backs in Ligue 2 last season, providing top chance creation stats while also winning plenty of duels in defence, too.

At the moment, he's the natural first choice, but the Frenchman doesn't have much competition to threaten that. With Alfie Gilchrist out on loan, the only other natural right-back at the club is academy product Alex Williams, with centre-back George Campbell also comfortable operating there.

In Kabore, James Morrison would have two attack-minded full-backs who could maintain the style he wants to play if either is unavailable. Williams only has two senior appearances for the Baggies, so may not be at the required level, while Campbell is more defensive and showed his class in the middle of the back four last season.

West Brom have the defensive quality to hide Issa Kabore's weaknesses

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While it's all well looking at Kabore's attacking numbers and being impressed by them, there is a big caveat in that his defensive ability isn't as good.

Wrexham fans were mixed when they bid farewell to him at the end of the season. Some wanted him to stay, but others labelled him as someone who put too much pressure on the backline due to defensive frailties.

While Phil Parkinson has good defenders in his squad, West Brom's defensive core is one of the strongest in the league, with Campbell, Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham and Krystian Bielik battling it out for two centre-back roles.

If Kabore did leave the Baggies exposed defensively, there'd be enough quality to mop up behind him, and the hope that the 25-year-old could learn by playing in a more experienced backline, while still maintaining that attacking threat.

West Brom could give Wrexham transfer envy if Issa Kabore takes those next steps at the Hawthorns

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Right now, it's West Brom who are set to receive transfer envy if Imray performs to the level that Baggies fans know he can reach while at Wrexham.

But if Kabore arrived at the Hawthorns and took the next steps in his development, they'd get some back over their divisional rivals, as it's arguable a better organised defence could have been the difference last year for Phil Parkinson's side.

Granted, at 25, there isn't as much room for the Manchester City full-back to improve compared to others in his position - Imray is two years younger - but at a settled home and under the right guidance, perhaps Kabore could be moulded into a more well-rounded player?

That would be the hope if West Brom's interest in Kabore ends up going further than just initial reports. Whoever does nail down the starting right-back spot at the Hawthorns this season has some big shoes to fill, though, regardless of who it is.