Steve Madeley claims Josh Griffiths is set for another ‘2 or 3 loans’ away from West Brom
Steve Madeley has moved to temper fan expectations on Josh Griffiths and claims the West Brom ace is set for further spells away from the club.
Griffiths has performed wonders on loan at League Two side Cheltenham Town this season to help guide them to their current standing of second place as they eye automatic promotion to the third-tier of English football.
His club boss Michael Duff recently tipped him to be a future Albion star in the Premier League [Birmingham Live].
His inclusion in an England U21 squad containing the supreme Premier League talents of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Curtis Jones raises the idea of whether he can be first-team option for Albion next season, particularly if they suffer relegation.
However, The Athletic’s Madeley has attempted to put the stoppers on any such notion in a message on his personal Twitter profile.
He said: “Absolutely, although I wouldn’t get carried away with the idea of Griffiths as a first-team option yet. He’s 19 with less than one senior season (in League 2) under his belt. Imagine his ‘pathway’ will include at least 2 or 3 more loans at increasingly high levels.”
Makes sense
Griffiths looks like a terrific prospect and he will surely have a bright future at The Hawthorns.
If Sam Johnstone departs the club then a position in the goalkeeping ranks becomes available.
However, David Button is an experienced option already at the club while Alex Palmer is also still on the Albion books and he has played in a division higher than Griffiths this season.
Palmer has done the business for a Lincoln City side riding high in League One and combined with his seniority (he is five years older) he will expect to be given the nod over Griffiths.
The 19-year-old has made waves in League Two but that it the fourth-tier of English football and the jump straight up to the Championship (or Premier League) might prove to be too much.
Therefore another loan away from the club, probably to a top team in League One, looks like the best step for Griffiths.
Palmer was at Plymouth Argyle in League Two last season before making this step up so there is a clear pathway for his progress.
In other West Brom news, Madeley moots £5-10m fee if Albion star secures Hawthorns exit.
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