‘Phenomenal’ – Sky Sports pundit raves about West Brom-linked centre-forward
Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has been raving about Charlton’s Lyle Taylor with West Brom reportedly keen on the centre-forward.
Taylor, 30, has been in great form for the relegation-threatened Addicks this season, scoring 11 goals in 22 Championship appearances.
West Brom were first linked with Taylor in January and Sky Sports have since reported that the Baggies, as well as Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday and Rangers, are likely to rekindle their interest in the striker once the season is over.
Taylor’s contract at Charlton expires at the end of this month and manager Lee Bowyer has recently confirmed to talkSPORT that the 30-year-old will refuse to play once his deal ends out of fear of suffering an injury that could hamper a move to a new club.
The former Millwall striker missed all of September, October and November due to injury, as well as three matches in January.
As this season in the Championship is the highest level Taylor has played at, you can see why he would have concerns about continuing to play for Charlton when West Brom – a potential Premier League club – and Rangers are keen on him.
Ex-Leeds midfielder Prutton is fully aware of how well Taylor has done this season and has suggested he’d be a valuable player for any team that wants to sign him.
“He’s been the difference [for Charlton],” Prutton told Sky Sports’ EFL podcast.
“I’m not saying they’ve been a one-man band by any stretch of the imagination but we’ve watched him over the last couple of years and he’s phenomenal for Charlton.
“You look at a player getting into the Championship and everyone’s sat there saying ‘come on then, prove you should be at this level’. He took it like a duck to water.”
Taylor has certainly been effective for Charlton this season but how would he cope for West Brom if they won promotion to the Premier League?
Albion already have two strikers in their 30s and their third-choice striker cost them £8million last summer.
It is hard to see how he’d fit in unless strikers are sold and the club becomes desperate for free signings.
In other West Brom news, Hal Robson-Kanu has sent a message to the EFL.
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