Exclusive: Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on Hegazi exit from West Brom amid Bilic development
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 admitted he’s slightly surprised by Ahmed Hegazi’s exit from West Brom after the defender joined Al-Ittihad on Sunday.
Hegazi, 29, made his first Premier League appearance of the season last Monday to help West Brom keep a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw with Burnley.
However, less than a week later, the Egypt international was being shipped out to Saudi Arabia, where he’s joined Slaven Bilic’s former club Al-Ittihad on a loan-to-buy deal that is reportedly worth £4million.
Bilic was reportedly furious with the decision to sell Hegazi as it had not been given his approval [The Sun].
But ex-Baggies forward Phillips claims that although the timing was not ideal, he can understand what Hegazi was moved on.
“I read on Tuesday that he was sold behind Bilic’s back so whether that’s true or not, maybe we’ll never know, but we said at the beginning of the season that someone might have to make way and I think I said that Hegazi might be the one that goes,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“But to let him go at this stage of the season when anything can happen and when you are shipping goals, it’s a slight surprise.
“But in the grand scheme of things, someone probably had to leave.”
Funds were tight at West Brom in the last transfer window with Bilic and Luke Dowling working on a shoestring budget to help bring the squad up to standard for the Premier League.
It remains to be seen whether they have done that or not but selling one of the club’s most battle-hardened centre-backs at the back-end of October isn’t going to help.
However, the money gained from Hegazi’s sale and the money saved on his wages presents the Baggies with an opportunity to strengthen the squad further in January – which isn’t too far away now.
In other West Brom news, fans have been left gutted by this new John Percy transfer update.
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.