According to Carlton Palmer, a successful takeover before the January transfer window would provide West Brom with a significant advantage. Palmer, who shared his views with Football League World on October 28th, believes that the ability to strengthen the squad in the upcoming year would position the club favorably for securing a play-off spot. He anticipates that Leicester and Leeds will clinch automatic promotion.
Recent discussions have taken place involving American and Middle Eastern parties regarding the potential change in majority ownership from Guochuan Lai, as reported by the Telegraph on September 19th. West Brom’s managing director, Mark Miles, has also stated earlier this month that the takeover process is on track for completion before the end of the season.
Palmer noted that West Bromwich Albion has had a solid start to the current season, currently holding sixth place in the standings, just two points behind Leeds United in third place. Completing the club’s takeover ahead of the January transfer window could significantly bolster their promotion ambitions. While Palmer still expects Leeds and Leicester to secure automatic promotion, he believes that strengthening the squad in January could enhance West Brom’s chances of securing a play-off berth. Given the unpredictable nature of play-offs, he suggests that West Brom would be as competitive as any other team vying for a play-off position.
Opportunity
Given how effectively Carlos Corberan has managed a squad that has been losing players at a rapid pace this year, it is reasonable to assume that he could achieve even greater success if given the opportunity to bring in some new players.
However, it might be a bit overly optimistic to expect a change in ownership within the next two months, especially if the prospective new owners are uncertain about investing in the team.
It’s likely that addressing the club’s financial issues is a prerequisite for taking control of the Baggies, but it’s difficult to determine the exact transfer budget without knowledge of the potential buyers for the club.
If Lai were to step down from his position, but the current management team continues to maintain West Brom’s competitiveness, it would undoubtedly be a significant source of excitement for the fanbase. As demonstrated by his earlier connections with Leeds United this year, there is a potential risk that Corberan might excel despite limited resources and be enticed to leave. However, his loyalty to Albion has been evident, and he may be closely monitoring any potential takeover developments, sharing the same anticipation as the fans for a chance to compete on a more level playing field with rival clubs.
Leave a Reply