View: Chris Sutton attack on ‘selfish’ reported West Brom target raises some valid questions
Reported West Brom target Lyle Taylor has emerged as one of the most divisive figures in English football this week.
Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer revealed earlier in the week that the 30-year-old is refusing to return to action for the Addicks when the Championship resumes later this month.
The striker is out of contract this summer, and after failing to agree a new move at The Valley, is likely to leave on a free transfer.
The Baggies are understood to be one of a host of clubs monitoring his situation, according to Sky Sports News, with the forward reluctant to play in case he picks up an injury that could jeopardise a big money switch.
But Chris Sutton has slammed the hitman for his selfishness, with Charlton currently embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “The one thing I can’t understand is that he has a contract. He is not fulfilling his contract.
“Are Charlton still paying him? They shouldn’t be paying him. And I have to say that if I was in his dressing room I’d pin him up against a wall.
“He’s letting his club down. He’s talking about his future, and I get that from a personal point of view.
“But what about his teammates? What if they get relegated? What happens to their contracts? It is so selfish. He’s totally let his teammates down.”
Sutton makes some very valid points here, and the fact that Taylor has downed tools is not a great reflection of his attitude.
Of course, you can completely see why he has done it, and chances are a lot of professionals in a similar position would consider doing the same thing.
As pointed out by Robbie Savage recently, this could be Taylor’s last chance to secure a big money move that would ensure financial security for his family for the rest of his life.
In that respect, it’s hard to knock the striker too much, but at the same time, taking on board the points that Sutton makes here, you have to ask whether he has the kind of attitude we want to be recruiting ahead of a potential run in the Premier League.
We’re not so sure he does.
In other West Brom news, Romelu Lukaku and Ben Foster have paid tribute to Chris Brunt on Twitter.
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