From stardom to anguish: Cedric Kipre’s mixed start at Reims following West Brom exit

Cedric Kipre was a mightily popular figure at The Hawthorns.

Kipre, predominantly a central defender but also capable at right-back, spent nearly four years with West Bromwich Albion, racking up 67 appearances across all competitions before his eventual contract expiry last June.

Not gaining any transfer fee whatsoever for a central defender of clear Premier League quality felt sickening for Albion. But the more upsetting part of Kipre’s exit was losing such a significant figure in the team’s rock solid defence under Carlos Corberan.

West Brom are in contention for a play-off finish for a second consecutive season but it’s felt far less assured than last campaign. Corberan had to work with a shaky back line at times - not helped by injuries - before his own exit. Tony Mowbray has since had to pick up the pieces in what is proving to be a challenging race for a top-six finish.

Kipre staying at The Hawthorns would’ve been a great aid but the defender has probably made the right decision as he’s - for the most part at least - flourishing at his new club, Stade de Reims.

Immediate stardom

It was always going to be difficult to turn down the opportunity to play in the French top flight, especially for a team as ambitious as Reims. It’s a good job Kipre picked them as, although the club are struggling narrowly above the relegation zone, he became pretty much immediate star.

Having his first two appearances as a late substitute was to be expected given he was adjusting to his new surroundings but it didn’t take long for Kipre to make his mark as a starter. In his first introduction into the XI, the Ivorian earned a 7.04 WhoScored rating in a 2-1 win away at Nantes before impressing in a 1-1 draw against title favourites Paris Saint-Germain just a week later.

Reims started the season superbly as they then went on beat Angers 3-1 away from home and thrash Montpellier 4-2 on home soil. Although goals were being conceded in most matches, Kipre played a key role in earning some vital points. He also starred in a 0-0 draw with AS Monaco, gaining a league-high 7.64 WhoScored rating.

Anguish ever since

It’s not been a straightforward past few months since, however, as Reims are - rather incredibly - without a single victory in any competition since the 4-2 win over Montpellier on October 6. There have been some terrible results, too, including a 4-2 thrashing from Nice on home soil and a 4-0 thumping away at Lyon.

To make matters worse for Kipre, his most recent game was a disaster as he was sent off merely five minutes into the 1-0 defeat to Rennes on February 21. Anguish could continue if Reims are relegated and it’s certainly a possibility with just three points the gap to St-Etienne in the relegation play-off spot.

There’s hope the outlook could improve once Samba Diawara has settled into his role as the new head coach following Luka Elsner’s sacking at the start of February. The fixtures are set to become more favourable with two of the bottom three - St-Ettiene and Montpellier - still to play.