Mason ‘set to be furious’ over bizarre Fellows announcement away from West Brom
Tom Fellows will likely be a major asset for Ryan Mason in West Brom’s promotion push next season.
Fellows was outstanding last season for the Baggies, contributing to 18 goals in 35 Championship starts.
The performances from the creative winger have caught the eye of Premier League clubs, who look set to pursue Fellows this summer.
Mason will be hoping to keep Fellows at The Hawthorns next season, but Albion’s new boss will likely be concerned about the recent announcement regarding his player.
Fellows set to join England U21s squad on strange condition
Typically, a player receiving an international call-up would be something to celebrate for everyone associated with West Brom.
However, Lee Carsley’s announcement on Friday (6 June) confirming his England U21s squad for the Euro U21s Finals this summer is set to leave Mason unhappy.
Fellows will travel with the rest of the squad to the tournament in Slovakia, but he will only be used as an additional training player.
| Tom Fellows | Championship stats (2024/25) |
| Total matches played | 45 |
| Total minutes | 2889 |
Carsley and Co. will argue that training with the quality players in the England squad will only help the development of Fellows, but it means the youngster’s summer break has been cut massive short.
West Brom have a right to be concerned
From a West Brom point of view, they will want their star man to be enjoying some well-earned rest before preparations gear up in pre-season for the new campaign.
Travelling to Slovakia without the prospect of actually playing seems pointless.
With this job being Mason’s first full-time managerial role, starting the season well will be crucial.
Understandably, certain sections of the Albion fanbase are unconvinced by the appointment. Mason will need to win them over and assure the West Brom hierarchy that they have appointed the right man, despite his lack of previous experience.
With the likes of Grady Diangana and John Swift leaving West Brom after being released, the West Midlands club are already in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
Fellows suffering an injury that rules him out of the first few games of the season due to a bizarre international call-up would heavily compromise the start of Mason’s new era at The Hawthorns.