Gardner-Hickman almost joined Man City before signing new West Brom deal
It has today (Thursday) been confirmed that Taylor Gardner-Hickman has signed a new deal at West Brom – but he very nearly joined Manchester City.
According to The Athletic, Taylor-Hickman spent time away from the club he had played for since he was a schoolboy and it was during this brief period of separation that he came close to joining the Premier League outfit.
He decided against a move to the North West and re-joined the Baggies instead, where he has played his football ever since.
Useful Utility
The 20-year-old has been left frustrated with a lack of starts under Valerien Ismael this season but he remains an important part of the Baggies squad.
He has already played minutes in central midfield as well as filling in on either flank as a wing back.
Utility players who can do a job in any position have always been a crucial part of any successful team but players often don’t like to be branded with the ‘utility’ tag.
Gardner-Hickman himself in unlikely to enjoy the name but every great team needs one and he has proven himself more than capable in a variety of positions already in his short career.
He is still getting regular minutes off the bench as West Brom fight for promotion back to the Premier League and Ismael will be keen to give him experience wherever possible, but the situation at The Hawthorns might not be the best pace to be furthering his game.
A loan move further down the pyramid could propel Gardner-Hickman into the spotlight and ensure Ismael has no option but to play him if he were to perform well.
West Brom are also in talks with Reyes Cleary over a new deal with the 17-year-old scoring for fun in the Under-23s.
In other West Brom news, this ‘world-class’ player exit could leave the door open for Baggies star.