Whelan warns West Brom star he is taking a big risk with contract stance
West Brom full back Nathan Ferguson has reached a contract impasse at the club, which has been a source of much frustration at The Hawthorns.
The 19-year-old has been a regular contributor this season, but has refused to sign fresh terms with the Midlands club.
However, the recent knee injury that saw a January move to Premier League club West Bromwich Albion scuppered has now prompted surgery.
That’s something that former Premier League striker Noel Whelan thinks proves the error of Ferguson’s ways in turning down a contract extension with the Albion.
“It could do, any injury to a player with such a short amount of time left on your contract, it’s a risk on both parties,” he told Football Insider.
“As a player, you’ve got to hope it’s nothing serious, it’s something easy to fix, it’s not a cruciate, it’s nothing like that. I’m sure it’s something where clubs will not be too fussed whether they’re going to sign the player but you’ve got to make sure he passes your medical.
“There’s always that worry.”
Whelan seems to be taking a rather extreme view, here. Ferguson’s not going to be short of offers come the summer, that’s for sure.
He’s a teenager, so teams can afford to take the long view with this one. Even if he takes a while to recover from this injury, he would still be a fine recruit for any number of teams.
His body of work this campaign, 21 appearances across both full back positions, combined with his age, makes him plenty enticing for anyone, no matter the surgery he’s set to undergo.
Obviously it isn’t ideal when he’s trying to put himself in the shop window, but it’s hardly as bad as Whelan’s making out here.
In other West Brom news, Luke Dowling has been raving about the talent of the club’s latest recruit.