Jake Clarke-Salter is set to leave Chelsea on loan again, with Goal reporting that a move to West Bromwich Albion is on the cards for the Derby County and Birmingham City target.
While Frank Lampard’s Achilles heel was exposed again and again throughout his debut season in charge of Stamford Bridge, the London-born 22-year-old is not the man to solve Chelsea’s defensive blues.
After the arrival of former PSG and Brazil captain Thiago Silva, Clarke-Salter is destined for another spell away from Stamford Bridge.
Birmingham are keen to re-sign a talented centre-back who played 19 Championship games during a short-term loan in the Midlands last season, while Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town are interested too.
But if Chelsea are keen to see how Clarke-Salter adapts to the rigours of Premier League football, before either promoting him to the first team or selling him on, then West Brom could be his destination.
A penchant for conceding sloppy goals very nearly cost the Baggies their automatic promotion place in 2019/20.
After letting in ten more goals than fellow Premier League newcomers Leeds United, Goal reports that West Brom are interested in bringing England U21 international Clarke-Salter to The Hawthorns.
Slaven Bilic has made excellent use of the loan market so far, with Dwight Gayle, Callum Robinson and Grady Diangana shining in navy and white during his stewardship.
“Jake has a great attitude,” Chelsea legend John Terry once told the Standard. “I remember watching him a couple of years ago being in control of the game and a really vocal player. He reminds me a bit of myself.”
High praise indeed.
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