Exclusive: Pundit unsure of player’s future at West Brom after recent Zoom catch-up
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips admits that Chris Brunt’s days at West Brom may be numbered with the midfielder’s deal expiring in the summer.
Brunt, 35, has struggled for game-time this term and has appeared just nine times across all competitions for manager Slaven Bilic.
He came close to joining Stoke in the January transfer window which would have ended a 13-year spell at The Hawthorns that has seen him earn 419 appearances across all competitions for the Baggies.
Phillips has recently spoken to Brunt as well as a number of other players from the 2007/08 promotion-winning season on video-calling site Zoom.
While the ex-striker says how good it was to speak to his former team-mates, he cannot get past the feeling that Brunt might be edging closer to ending his time at The Hawthorns.
“We all did a Zoom meeting, all the West Brom team that won promotion in 2008 and Brunty shared it. It was good to catch up with the boys,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“Brunty signed in the second season I was there, him and James Morrison.
“Of course, at that time, you don’t expect them to go on 13 years later and still be at the club.
“He’s a club legend. He’s a top guy as well. He’s done a fantastic job at West Brom and whether he’s there next season remains to be seen. I know with his skills he can still play at a good level.
“He deserves that legendary accolade at West Brom.”
Brunt is probably the closest thing West Brom have had to a club legend since the days of Bob Taylor who is still held in the highest of regard by fans to this day.
Brunt will no doubt be spoken about in the same way as Taylor once his days at The Hawthorns are over while former midfielder Morrison could come under the same category too.
In other West Brom news, West Ham and Sheffield United have made their minds up about Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson’s loan deals at The Hawthorns.
Make sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook for the latest updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.