Solly March signs: West Brom's dream XI after September 1st | OneFootball

FLW lists West Brom’s dream XI come the end of the summer transfer window.

West Bromwich Albion will be hopeful of a much more positive season unfolding under James Morrison.

The Baggies went on a remarkable turnaround of form under the Albion icon to preserve their Championship status last season, securing a 21st place finish despite wretched runs of form under predecessors Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, as well as being deducted two points for controversially breaching the EFL’s P&S rules.

But now with all that behind them, Albion’s focus will be on getting themselves back into the promotion mix and targeting a return to the Premier League, with ownership group Bilkul able to spend a bit more freely now that the worst of their financial restrictions has passed over.

And such flexibility in the transfer window has already been on show, with the Black Country outfit bringing seven new faces to The Hawthorns so far this summer, which include Nolan Galves, Conor Townsend, Carter Pinnington, Felix Horn Myhre, Rabby Nzingoula, Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

But despite being so busy, further additions will be needed in other departments so that the Baggies are fully equipped for the challenges of this upcoming 46-game slog.

With this in mind, FLW has listed what West Brom’s dream XI would be after the summer transfer window shuts on the 1st September.

GK: Alex Palmer

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Starting off between the sticks, it’s safe to say the majority of Baggies fans would love to see the return of goalkeeper Alex Palmer to The Hawthorns.

After starting Ipswich’s opening 10 league second tier games of last season, Palmer suffered an unfortunate calf issue against Charlton Athletic and subsequently failed to play another game during their promotion-winning campaign after losing his place to Christian Walton.

Now back in the top-flight and under the new guidance of Gary O’Neil, Ipswich have bolstered their goalkeeping department with the additions of Kayne van Oevelen and Kjell Scherpen, so Palmer has been pushed further down the pecking order and may be open to a move away from Portman Road.

Albion will be hopeful they can land their former academy graduate, who has had fresh interest from Premier League outfit Sunderland in recent times.

RB: Issa Kabore

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Another dream addition for West Brom could well be at right-back, with Issa Kabore still looking for a new club following the end of his loan spell at Wrexham last season.

In his debut season at Championship level, the Burkina Faso defender featured 30 times in North Wales and registered eight assists, part of a Wrexham side that narrowly missed out on the play-offs.

Back at Manchester City, Kabore is unlikely to get a look-in at playing regular first-team football under Enzo Maresca, so another move could be on the cards heading into the final few weeks of the window, and Albion should be at the front of the queue.

Judging from his eight assists last term, Kabore is clearly a player who thrives on marauding forward from right-back, working his way into advanced positions and supplying quality to the forward line to create goals, something that was seen during Danny Imray’s time under Morrison last season at The Hawthorns.

Kabore is someone who slots into Morrison’s way of playing with ease, whilst his presence would also provide much-needed competition for the right-back department, who currently have just summer recruit Nolan Galves as a recognised option.

CB: Nat Phillips

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Heading into the centre of defence and Nat Phillips should remain one of James Morrison’s first-choice options in that area.

While his general ability on the ball and distribution has been questioned, there’s no doubt Phillips is one of the most solid players in the division when it comes to pure defensive work, while he was part of a backline that kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 league games at the back end of last season.

Not to mention on the final day at Sheffield Wednesday that George Campbell looked a shadow of himself without Phillips alongside him, so it’s important that the partnership is kept in place.

CB: George Campbell

Therefore, George Campbell is backed to start regularly alongside Nat Phillips, and the American should be another important player after captaining the side during pre-season.

The 25-year-old was also at the heart of Albion going on a very impressive clean sheet tally at the end of last term under Morrison, so he should remain first-choice.

LB: Callum Styles

While Albion have added competition at left-back by bringing Conor Townsend back to The Hawthorns, Callum Styles should still remain a regular starter.

The Hungarian international was so consistent over the course of last season despite Albion’s struggles, and that was reflected when being voted both the players and supporters’ Player of the Season.

Styles subsequently put pen to paper on a new four-year contract at The Hawthorns, with West Brom getting tremendous value out of the defender since signing him on a free transfer from Barnsley.

CM: Will Smallbone

While not officially a West Brom player, the Baggies have been linked with a move for midfielder Will Smallbone this summer to replace the outgoing Alex Mowatt.

There’s no doubt Smallbone would be an exciting replacement for West Brom, as, at 26, he still has some of the best years ahead of him in his career.

While he has suffered injury issues of late, Smallbone would still feel like a risk-free signing as a free agent, particularly due to his experience at Championship level.

Albion would also be getting a player who will want to prove himself on a regular basis in the second tier, and by featuring for the Saints in the Premier League earlier on in his career, it's clear to see he's a player that possesses real quality, and could play a starring role if he ends up representing the blue and white stripes.

CM: Felix Horn Myhre

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Norwegian midfielder Felix Horn Myhre could have a big role to play in an Albion shirt after signing from SK Brann this summer.

The £3m addition has shown promise by already getting off the mark for his new club and seems a player who is willing to take the ball on and make things happen in the final third.

Looking to make the next step in his career, Myhre could well be the creative central midfielder that Albion have craved for quite some time.

LM: Mikey Johnston

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When returning to full fitness, Mikey Johnston is expected to once again be one of West Brom’s main creative outlets in the final third.

The Republic of Ireland international missed all of Albion’s turnaround after fracturing his ankle at Oxford United in James Morrison’s opening game in interim charge, while he is currently being worked up to full fitness and continues to get periods of minutes off the bench.

Johnston will have lost some confidence after playing some of his best football under Ryan Mason to then being messed about in different positions with Eric Ramsay, so when he’s ready to start games again, he can hopefully be the dynamic and tricky winger that Albion need to succeed this season.

With an influx of quality around him, it can hopefully up Johnston’s game, which is yet to hit the heights that was seen in his original loan spell from Celtic under Carlos Corberan.

RM: Solly March

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While this would be an ambitious signing, West Brom are struggling to identify wide targets, and the addition of Solly March on a free transfer could be what puts an end to their woes in that position.

March’s 15-year association with Brighton was brought to an end this summer, and the 32-year-old is looking for a fresh start after an agonising two-year period with injuries, with two separate ACL injuries in particular.

While he is targeting a Premier League return and reportedly been training with Crystal Palace, dropping down to the second tier might have to be the decision to make if no deal can be agreed, and March would certainly get his desired game time at The Hawthorns.

March also has the potential to add a dynamic edge to Albion’s attack, with his wand of a left foot giving him the ability to unleash dangerous shots at goal, or pinpoint crosses that the forward line can get on the end of.

Provided his wages aren’t too steep, the arrival of March would be a statement signing on the right flank, with the Baggies arguably having a Premier League quality player at Championship level.

ST: Jimmy-Jay Morgan

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Another player earning so many plaudits and generating a lot of excitement at the moment is Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who can hopefully be the goalscoring forward to bring success to James Morrison’s side.

It’s certainly started off like he can be, with the former Chelsea man netting five goals in pre-season and then a brace in the Carabao Cup last weekend.

The summer arrival certainly has the talent to be the next Championship superstar, and he will be a key player for Albion over the long-term future that can see them get back up the second tier standings.