Exclusive: ‘Talent’ tipped to shine in PL with West Brom once transfer is complete by ex-Baggie
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 has backed Conor Gallagher to perform in the Premier League if the Chelsea midfielder joins West Brom on loan.
Gallagher, 20, spent last season on loan in the Championship with both Charlton and Swansea but is yet to play in England’s top-flight.
He could get that chance at The Hawthorns this season with Football.London reporting that the midfielder is set to join the Baggies on a season-long loan.
Ex-West Brom striker Phillips is aware that Gallagher might need some time to settle into a new club in a new league but has confidence that he will be able to take it in his stride.
“It’s a big ask to make the step up to the Premier League and make an instant impact,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“It’s the same for the majority of West Brom players who haven’t played in the Premier League, it’s going to be a big test for all of them.
“To ask Conor Gallagher to come into a Premier League side and make an impact straight away, it’s a big ask but he’s certainly got talent. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did [make the step up].”
Gallagher scored six goals and supplied 11 assists in his loan spells at both Charlton and Swansea last season.
The England Under-21 international is hoping to break into the Chelsea first-team at some point in the future [BBC Sport] and joining a top-flight team like the Baggies on loan is only going to help improve those chances.
But he has to perform at The Hawthorns and Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Leicester suggests that he has a big task on his hands to help improve this team.
In other West Brom news, Bilic made an admission about Filip Krovinovic’s potential return to The Hawthorns after the defeat to Leicester.
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