Morgan Rogers and Matty Phillips react to West Brom transfer development today
Zac Ashworth was sent good luck messages by two of his former West Bromwich Albion team-mates after sealing a transfer to Blackpool.
Posting on Instagram after signing for the League One side, Ashworth received comments from both Morgan Rogers and Matty Phillips wishing him luck with the Tangerines.
Rogers, who came through Albion’s academy with Ashworth before departing for Manchester City in 2019, called the 21-year-old his “little brother”, while Phillips also wished the left-back luck.
Ashworth’s departure for an undisclosed fee comes after a successful half-season loan spell at Bolton, while Phillips will himself leave the Hawthorns following the expiration of his contract on 30 June [X, 27 June].
Zac Ashworth move continues transfer clearout at West Brom
The Albion squad is set to look wildly different on the first day of next season, with Ashworth and Phillips’ departures just two of several that have already taken place this summer.
33-year-old veteran Phillips, a Baggies player since 2016, and 13 other players are set to be released by the club on 30 June, with four of those having featured regularly last season [Instagram, 21 May].
It’s a risky strategy, particularly for a side who finished fifth in the Championship and underwent an unsuccessful play-off campaign, but with Carlos Corberan remaining in post after interest from both Las Palmas and Leicester, the Albion hierarchy clearly have faith in the Spaniard’s project [Marca, 14 June].
Minus Phillips and other experienced heads like Adam Reach, Erik Pieters, Yann M’Vila and Nathaniel Chalobah, it remains to be seen just what kind of team Corberan fields next season.
Ashworth and Phillips certainly won’t be playing any part, and Rogers isn’t likely to either, given he’s currently preparing for a run in the Champions League next season!
In other West Brom news, the Baggies are resigned to losing a star player who wants to play in the Premier League next season.
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