Sunderland have a "fantastic" new transfer target who could be Ballard 2.0
da 888： Regis Le Bris enjoyed what can only be described as a dream debut season as Sunderland manager.
da pixbet： Many Black Cats bosses have come and gone in quick succession in recent years as promotion to the Premier League has evaded them.
But, in the Frenchman’s case, it was a first-attempt job, with the ex-Lorient head coach now eager to prove himself in England’s elite league after an up-and-down stint in Ligue 1.
He will know that a stern defence will be key if Sunderland stand any chance of beating the punishing drop, with a new defensive brute reportedly now on his shopping list to toughen up the Wearside underdogs.
Sunderland considering move for 6-foot-3 colossus
The Championship playoffs did showcase Sunderland’s excellence in the centre-back department with Daniel Ballard taking his team to Wembley with a last-gasp header versus Coventry City, whilst loan ace Chris Mepham would complete a whopping 12 clearances against Sheffield United in total to shut out the annoyed Blades.
But another centre-back could soon join the building in the form of ex-West Bromwich Albion brute Cedric Kipre. Football outlet Africa Foot states that Le Bris and Co view the Ivorian as a serious option after promotion.
Whilst the 6-foot-3 colossus is well known to EFL fans for his imperious displays with the Baggies, he is just fresh off a season in the French top-flight with Stade De Reims. This venture might well have ended in relegation, but it bodes well for Kipre not finding the Premier League daunting.
How Kipre can be Ballard 2.0 for Sunderland
Regardless of his time out in Ligue 1, his standout showings in the Championship earn enough merit on their own, with his authoritative approach out from the back – matched by his ability to pop up with a crucial header – meaning he could become Ballard 2.0 for Le Bris.
He also shone in spurts for Reims despite relegation, with the headed effort above unfortunately just not enough to keep Samba Diawara’s men afloat.
Away from this unfortunate relegation on his CV, though, Kipre has proven himself in the past as a brave battler in the challenging second tier of English football, with the Baggies left gutted by the 28-year-old’s decision to depart the Hawthorns last summer.
Kipre in 23/24 vs Ballard in 24/25
Stat (* = per game)
Kipre
Ballard
Games played
44
20
Goals scored
2
2
Assists
1
1
Touches*
67.1
47
Accurate passes*
48.9 (87%)
33.2 (88%)
Ball recoveries*
4.3
2.3
Clearances*
3.7
4.0
Total duels won*
4.2
4.6
Clean sheets
14
2
Stats by Sofascore
Looking at the table above, Kipre was a rock-solid option for the Carlos Corberan-led Baggies, with a mightily impressive 14 clean sheets notched up from 44 clashes.
Further, the table shows off the similarities between the defensive duo, with both Ballard and Kipre chipping in with three goal contributions each, away from also being able to valiantly battle away with duels, winning a similar number.
Much like Ballard, too, the current Reims number 21 has had to bounce back from plenty of Premier League rejection, with his early career seeing him be let go of by Leicester City.
The Sunderland titan also had to wave goodbye to Arsenal to join the Stadium of Light, but he will now have a shot at top-flight redemption on Wearside next season.
Kipre will also fancy his chances at being a formidable presence for Le Bris’ outsiders, having once been labelled as “one of the best defenders in the division” by the Second Tier podcast when plying his trade in the EFL’s top league.
Now, it’s up to the “fantastic” defender – as he’s also been labelled by football journalist Josh Bunting – to earn his stripes up a league, with Kipre having the potential to be as loved as Ballard if his brick-wall presence allows safety to be secured.
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