View: West Brom 22y/o future surely uncertain, hopes likely to cling onto impressive 19/20 debut
Jack Fitzwater is a player who has been on the books at West Brom for some time but the 22-year-old’s future is less than certain at the moment.
The defender’s contract expires at the end of next month and we are yet to hear any news about the Baggies trying to press on with striking a new agreement with the player.
Fitzwater will turn 23 in September but has only made one first-team appearance for West Brom when Slaven Bilic handed him his Baggies debut in January.
The Birmingham-born centre-back played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 win away at Charlton in the FA Cup third-round and the stats prove how well he played in that game.
According to data by WyScout, Fitzwater completed 87 per cent of his passes, won 73 per cent of duels, made six interceptions and completed a whopping 20 recoveries which, as seen on the chart below, kept Charlton’s attack at bay as the hosts were limited to just two shots on target [BBC Sport].
In comparison, West Brom’s best defender this season has been Semi Ajayi and the Nigeria international has averaged 3.94 interceptions and 11.03 recoveries per 90 minutes of football for the Baggies.
Fitzwater’s display was a defensive masterclass for someone who was making his Albion debut and was playing against Championship opposition for the first time in a competitive setting.
He seemed to know where each Charlton pass was going to head, positioning himself impeccably well for someone who has been so often overlooked by West Brom managers of the past.
But, still. Fitzwater’s contract expires next month and his best bargaining chip is that he did brilliantly in what has been his one and only first-team appearance for the Baggies.
Before the winter comes around and if he’s signed a new contract, Fitzwater is likely to be 23-year-old defender contracted to a Premier League club despite only ever playing once at a level above League One.
It could be hard to convince Albion chiefs to offer him fresh terms considering that but his display against Charlton was good enough to suggest he’s worth keeping on and maybe trying to loan him out to a Championship club next season.
In other West Brom news, Gabby Agbonlahor has sent an Instagram message to this popular Baggies star.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.