Another key void may be left at West Brom as Erik Pieters contract news emerges
West Brom defender Erik Pieters looks set to depart this summer with no agreement on a new contract leaving another worrying void at The Hawthorns.
The 34-year-old proved an integral figure at centre-back for Carlos Corberan last season, featuring in 36 Championship games as the Baggies only just fell short of a play-off place on the final day [8 May].
The veteran Dutchman was the only out-of-contract senior player to be offered a new deal by boss Corberan when West Brom announced their retained list on 23 May, with leadership figure Jake Livermore, Tom Rogic and Kean Bryan all departing at the end of their contracts.
And according to Birmingham World [31 May], West Brom may well lose another crucial figure in the dressing room with no agreement over a new deal finalised despite the club revealing talks had begun [BBC Sport, 23 May] with the Dutchman over a new contract.
“West Bromwich Albion defender Erik Pieters sees his contract at The Hawthorns expire next month and he is set to leave unless a new deal can be agreed,” the report reads.
“The Baggies confirmed last week that they are in talks with the Dutchman but nothing has been finalised as things stand.”
The Baggies are in a serious state of uncertainty right now, after news emerged on 31 May that CEO Ron Gourlay had departed the club and is due to start gardening leave from 14 June [Express & Star] – leaving a huge gaping hole at the boardroom level which comes as a major concern for the Albion fanbase who have been led to rely on Gourlay’s honesty following the debacle that is Guochuan Lai’s controversial ownership of the club.
And another void may yet be filled in the managerial department with Corberan attracting plenty of interest from former club Leeds United who this week confirmed Sam Allardyce’s departure [BBC Sport, 2 June] following their relegation to the Championship.
Before the summer is out, West Brom may well be without key and pivotal leaders at the club leaving their chances of promotion back to the Premier League this time next year, incredibly uncertain.
Should the worst happen on that front, the club may only have to rely on the experience and familiarity with much of the first-team squad to lead them out of trouble, but now even that looks to be in serious peril after Pieters’ rather baffling contract update.
Some of the club’s big hitters may be sold to raise funds which means West Brom may have to start blooding some academy youngers next term. Should that happen, the squad will need experience around it, meaning Pieters’ contract renewal should really be a no-brainer.
And finding a new deal for Pieters certainly won’t hurt one bit, as his experience, leadership and quality despite his could yet prove vital for the club next season. Should Corberan leave the club this summer, the new manager will need guidance as to his playing squad, which Pieters could lend his knowledge to.
The 34-year-old still has plenty to offer West Brom in the Championship next season and the Baggies would be silly not to have something finalised in the next few weeks, especially given the danger of starting next campaign without any real leadership
It is concerning times at The Hawthorns right now.
In other West Brom news, Carlton Palmer gave his reaction to the Baggies being linked to Blackpool striker Jerry Yates.