Athletic journo: WBA ‘reluctant’ to let first team pair leave, one set for PL game time
West Brom are reluctant to let Sam Field or Rekeem Harper leave the club this summer, according to The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley.
Following the release of Chris Brunt and Gareth Barry, the Baggies currently only have Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers as senior options in the centre of midfield.
Writing in a piece for The Athletic earlier in the week, Madeley suggested that both Field and Harper could therefore be given an opportunity to feature more prominently in the Premier League over the coming season.
And he has now backed up that claim by making a more concrete statement on Albion’s plans for the two academy products.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, he said: “Also understand Albion are currently reluctant to let Sam Field or Rekeem Harper leave, either permanently or on loan, given shortage of options in midfield.
“In fact, given the lack of a holding player, Field could well get some game-time.”
There are really two ways of looking at this.
If we’re being positive, seeing a pair of academy products work their way up through the ranks to regular Premier League football is always a good thing for the club and the fans, and it could really be the making of both players.
If we’re being a tad more cynical, the concern will be that Bilic is being forced into giving Field and Harper greater roles in his plans because he hasn’t got the means to reinforce his squad to the level that he would ideally want.
The boss himself has made it clear that wants to get a deal over the line for Filip Krovinovic, but beyond that it’s hard to see how he would be able to bring in another midfielder or two – especially when a new striker is still such a major priority.
In other West Brom News, ‘They are a threat’ – BBC pundit predicts score in West Brom v Leicester clash.