Exclusive: Kevin Phillips delivers verdict as Grosicki edges towards West Brom exit
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 urged West Brom to keep hold of winger Kamil Grosicki after they opted against signing free agent Ahmed Musa.
The 28-year-old Nigeria international had a trial spell with the Baggies earlier this month but, as reported by the Express & Star, he wasn’t offered a contract “with the club feeling they already have stronger players in his preferred position out wide”.
Grosicki is perhaps one of those wide players but the Poland international has failed to feature in any of Sam Allardyce’s last five matchday squads in the Premier League amid speculation surrounding his future at The Hawthorns.
The ex-Hull attacker has been linked with a return to Poland a recent update by Meczyki claims Ekstraklasa leaders Pogon Szczecin are doing all they can to sign him.
Phillips, however, wants to see Grosicki see out his £40,000-a-week contract at The Hawthorns, which expires at the end of the season.
“I’m a bit baffled about why he’s not involved because when he did come in, he did well,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“He gives you something a little bit different so it might be worth firing him in and seeing what happens.
“But if they haven’t signed Musa, I wouldn’t be letting Grosicki go. I’d want to keep him and try and utilise him from now until the end of the season.”
Meczyki reports that Grosicki was born in Szczecin and his family live there. Plus the fact they are leading Poland’s top-flight and could have the winger a better chance of making the Poland national squad for the European Championships this summer might also have a massive sway for Turbo.
It is understood that while no agreements have been reached as of yet, a deal is getting closer.
West Brom still have a lot of options out wide even if Grosicki goes as Big Sam still has Robert Snodgrass, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Matt Phillips, Kyle Edwards, Grady Diangana, Karlan Grant and Matheus Pereira who can play out wide while Hal Robson-Kanu and Conor Gallagher have also done a job there in the past.
In other West Brom news, Gary Neville was disappointed by this player’s display against Manchester United on Sunday.
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