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da dobrowin： Craig Dawson’s future at West Brom is far from certain despite the arrival of Slaven Bilic.
The Sun reported last week that Watford had joined the race to sign the 29-year-old as West Brom look to reduce their wage bill ahead of the new season.
If Dawson departs, it could mean West Brom are stretched in central defence.
At the moment, they’d only have Kyle Bartley and Ahmed Hegazi who could slot into that area of the pitch.
Albion have been linked with moves for both Liam Lindsay and Reece Oxford who would be shrewd signings, but Bilic could choose to favour an internal replacement for Dawson instead.
On the chalkboard
One of the academy players who could be set to make a first-team breakthrough in 2019/20 is defender Dara O’Shea.
The centre-back impressed on loan at Exeter last term, so much so that their manager Matt Taylor tipped him to go all the way back in March.
It was glowing praise for a young player who could now prove crucial to West Brom’s rebuild.
With the possibility of Dawson departing, there would be no better opportunity for him to make the step up.
Albion’s academy hasn’t had the best of luck in terms of keeping their best young talents, so Bilic would surely be an instant hit if he promotes O’Shea into his defence, rather than looking elsewhere.
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Standing at 6 ft 2, he is the same height as Dawson, a factor that immediately suggests he could act as a replacement.
The 20-year-old is a commanding defender who after receiving his first call-up for the Republic of Ireland U21 side this year, seems to be going from strength to strength.
Making the leap from League 2 where he was playing on loan at Exeter last season could be a considerable jump to make, but it would certainly be a cost-effective measure in helping to replace one of West Brom’s key players.
This is an option Bilic must consider as he begins his work at the Hawthorns.