Why West Brom should sign Andy King in January
According to a report from Daily Mail, EFL Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion are keen on signing Leicester City outcast Andy King on a loan deal in the upcoming January transfer window.
The 30-year-old King has been with Leicester for 14 years now, having joined the Foxes’ academy from Chelsea back in 2004. Since graduating from the youth ranks, the Welsh midfielder has gone on to make a whopping 374 appearances for the club, scoring 61 goals and setting up 24 more in the process.
King was an integral part of the Leicester City squad that shocked the world with the Premier League triumph and has attained a legendary status at the King Power Stadium.
However, the midfielder has found himself frozen out of the first-team picture in the ongoing campaign by manager Claude Puel. The Welshman isn’t even a part of Leicester City’s Premier League squad for the 2018/19 campaign. The only footballing action that King has seen this term came with the Foxes’ reserve team in the Premier League 2, where he has made six appearances with no goal or assist to show for.
Given his current predicament, a January exit seems the best way forward for the Wales international. West Brom are believed to be willing to offer him a way out, by taking him on loan until the end of the campaign. (h/t Daily Mail)
Darren Moore’s men have made a solid start to the season and find themselves 3rd in the Championship after 22 games as they look to return to the Premier League at the first time of calling itself. While the squad has a balanced look to it, the Baggies do come out a bit thin in the central midfield department.
Gareth Barry is 37 now and making him play twice every week might not be the smartest idea for West Brom. Jake Livermore is a regular fixture in the side but an injury to the Englishman could leave the Baggies thinly stretched, although Chris Brunt can provide cover.
The young Sam Field and Rakeem Harper are talented enough but with the promotion chances at stake, West Brom need someone more experienced to see them through over the course of the campaign.
And that is where King could prove to be an asset to the Baggies. The 30-year-old might not have played any first-team football this term but he still has plenty left to offer at this level. The Welshman knows what it takes to cut it out at this stage, having helped Leicester earn promotion to the Premier League.
With his experience and know-how, the 50-time capped Wales international has the potential to be an impact signing for West Brom over the second half of the season.
