West Brom have been heavily linked with signing Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury recently and the Englishman could be the Baggies’ next Youssouf Mulumbu in Steve Bruce’s side.
Reports have suggested that the 24-year-old is a loan target for the former Newcastle United boss this summer, although he will have to play a waiting game before signing him, as it will depend on Leicester City’s own transfer business this summer.
Brendan Rodgers isn’t currently short of midfield options at the King Power Stadium although both Youri Tielemans and Boubakary Soumare could leave ahead of next season, which might encourage the former Liverpool boss to keep Choudhury at the club as a back-up.
The Leicester academy graduate has never been able to establish himself as a regular in the Foxes’ first team, making just 83 appearances for the senior side in his career thus far.
Last season saw the midfielder manage just six appearances in the Premier League so it seems unlikely that he will be able to establish himself as a regular with the Foxes next season, and West Brom could be the beneficiaries by signing him on loan.
His contract with Leicester is also set to expire at the end of the season, so the loan could also be with the view to bringing him in on a permanent deal, which could potentially be excellent business for the Baggies.
Should West Brom sign Choudhury?
WhoScored suggests that Choudhury’s main strengths are his interceptions and ability to block the ball, which may remind West Brom fans of fellow defensive-midfielder Mulumbu, who starred for the Baggies between 2009 and 2015.
The DR Congo international would make 211 appearances, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists, in what was undoubtedly the best spell of his career.
Rodgers was full of praise for Choudhury last season after his performance in a FA Cup win against Watford, saying:
“I thought he was sensational in the game. Sometimes it happens like that for a midfield player stepping back. He was defensively quick, making interceptions and blocks, his recovery speed was incredible and that’s why you always have quick players, especially how we play, squeezing the pitch. His passing was excellent in the main as well, so I’m delighted for him.”
If Choudhury can produce performances like that on a regular basis for West Brom next season, then he would surely be a quality addition to Bruce’s side, and he may even be regarded in the same ilk as Mulumbu by Baggies fans.
