Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Sun 23 March 2025 8:54, UK

West Brom evidently prioritised improvements to their attack in the winter transfer window, bringing in a plethora of exciting forwards.

Tony Mowbray has always prided his teams on expressive and expansive football, and the arrivals of Adam Armstrong, Will Lankshear and Tammer Bany further illustrated his plan at The Hawthorns.

Some have played more than others, but a talented player with the creative nous of Isaac Price has, too, been instrumental to the gradual improvement under Mowbray which can hopefully consolidate a place in the top six.

West Brom exit urged for summer signing

Having scored 60 goals in over 150 league appearances for West Brom, Don Goodman is well positioned to advise the current crop at The Hawthorns.

However, the former Baggies frontman has urged one summer signing to leave in search of regular game time and opportunities to find his best form.

Devante Cole arrived on a free transfer from Barnsley in the summer, with some supporters sceptical of the impact he could make given his unproven nature in the Championship.

Albion were, at the time, operating under a financial restriction and brought Cole in, but the 29-year-old has failed to start any of his 14 appearances, and is yet to score or assist in the famous stripes.

Goodman urged Cole to look to move elsewhere for a better chance, telling Football League World (22 March): “I think it’s clear with Devante Cole that, in terms of his career, he would probably be better off away from West Brom.

“He had two brilliant back-to-back seasons at Barnsley in League One, scored a lot of goals and did a lot of damage. Whenever I’ve seen him on the pitch for West Brom, I’ve seen a wholehearted player that gives everything he’s got for the cause, but he simply hasn’t had too many opportunities.

“I think at his age, you need to be playing football week-in, week-out. With Daryl Dike and Maja injured, they were still playing with false nines prior to Adam Armstrong’s arrival and you kind of feel the writing is on the wall. It would be best for him and his career if he got a chance elsewhere.”

Cole must make the most of remaining career years

Having arrived for free, West Brom were better equipped to offer Cole more in wages than he would likely have been receiving in League One, but it’s now time for him to find another new move.

While a relatively risk-free signing, Goodman’s point rings true regarding the false-nine system Albion had operated before Armstrong signed, and went straight into the team. Cole, by contrast, has featured in the Under-21s for match sharpness.

Such decisions will speak volumes to an experienced player with no naivety about him – the striker will already be in regular touch with his representatives to see what summer opportunities could be available.

Cole was a regular threat in League One, firing 34 goals across the past two full seasons, but it has not worked out for him with a Premier League-chasing side now blessed with even more forward options to deprive him of any realistic sustained match action this term.

West Brom should reap a small profit on a player they tied down to a two-year deal, likely covering the £7,500-per-week wages (Capology) they have paid him since last summer.