West Brom defender Kyle Bartley has signed a new one-year contract extension at The Hawthorns, according to The Athletic.
It was reported on Thursday that the Baggies have trigged a one-year agreement, with his last deal set to expire at the end of this campaign.
The enforcer has been handed the captains’ armband since Sam Allardyce has arrived, with Jake Livermore being placed on the bench.
Bartley has been one of the few shining lights this season.
With the likes of Branislav Ivanovic failing to catch the eye, someone has needed to step up after the Serbian didn’t have the desired effect under Big Sam or Slaven Bilic.
The 29-year-old has completed 5.6 clearances per game according to WhoScored this season, nearly two more than any other player in the entire squad.
Bartley really proved his worth in the 0-0 draw against Burnley last weekend, standing up once Semi Ajayi had been shown his marching orders to push his side forward.
Championship or Premier League, Bartley will be at the heart of the defence for one more season at the minimum for the Albion.
Many Baggies fans have reacted to the latest contract renewal for Bartley at The Hawthorns, and they are surprisingly split by the news.
The majority admitted that this was smart business, but there were some fans who claimed that the defender was not only overrated but overpaid as well.
West Brom News have picked out some of the best reactions below…
Contract extension for Kyle Bartley……..Another example of total lack of ambition and poor judgement from Dowling. #WBA #Donkeys
— Michael whitehouse (@Michaelwh24) February 25, 2021
Should keep him till 2024 at least
— Ben (@Woodall_2004) February 25, 2021
I don’t get the issue here, he’s been semi decent, we have no money to replace him, we are going down, makes sense to hang on to him
— Steve mackenzie (@baggie_boy) February 25, 2021
I actually quite like him. He's not PL standard week in, week out, however he will play a major role for us in the Championship.
— Conrad Chircop (@conradchircop) February 25, 2021
He’s been excellent lately. Certainly suited to a Big Sam side, low block, defend in numbers, no nonsense defending. If we’re back with a progressive, play from the back and push up high manager next season however then Bartley will again struggle with this.
— Dan Nash (@DanNash86) February 25, 2021
It’s interesting stat highlighting Bartley’s aerial dominance. That is encouraging. He should be more of a threat in the oppositions box though. He does miss some real opportunities. Though in our team he isn’t alone of being guilty of this.
— The Last Blairite #TrueLabour (@LastBlairite) February 25, 2021
Trouble is they are both bang average and part of the worst defence in Europe 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
— Paul Handley (@PaulHan12455719) February 25, 2021
Deserved contract extension for Bartley. One of the few who has stood up and been counted. #WBA
— Alistair Jones (@AliJones9) February 25, 2021
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Exactly what we need in the championship. A fighter. Hard as Nails and fearless.
My issue is only one year. Typical Dowling decision. Wrong.