Patel to send out massive West Brom statement of intent with double transfer call
West Brom have had a fairly slow transfer window so far, with just three first-team signings arriving this summer.
Ryan Mason is intent on strengthening his squad, but time is running out with the season about to begin.
Nat Phillips, Aune Heggebo and George Campbell have all joined, but more additions are needed if West Brom are to compete for promotion.
However, the best business West Brom may do may not be to do with their signings, but with their outgoings, with a huge call to be made over two players.
West Brom should keep Tom Fellows and Josh Maja
Attacking stars Tom Fellows and Josh Maja were two of West Brom’s best performers last season, but both have been linked with exits.
Fellows, in particular, has been mooted as a player who could leave for a huge fee, but this would come as a huge blow to Mason if he was to depart now.
Speaking to Football League World (August 4), Don Goodman encouraged Shilen Patel to keep both talents at the club, both to benefit the squad, as well as to send a message of intent.
| Player | Position |
| George Campbell | Centre-back |
| Nat Phillips | Centre-back |
| Aune Heggebo | Striker |
“You’ve got a new, aspiring head coach in Ryan Mason, who’s going to need all the help from the recruitment department,” Goodman stated.
“This not only reflects on getting players in, but also keeping players, and keeping Maja and Fellows would be massive and a clear statement of intent to the fans, more importantly.
- Maja’s 12 Championship goals last season was five ahead of Alex Mowatt in second place in the West Brom squad.
- Fellows’ 14 assists was nine ahead of Mikey Johnston in second place.
“West Brom need goals. They scored 13 fewer last season than they did the season before, and that was one of the reasons that they finished ninth.
“Fellows and Maja will be crucial to West Brom’s goalscoring output, I have no doubt, if they can keep hold of them.”
West Brom cannot sit still in transfer market
Keeping Maja and Fellows would be hugely beneficial for Mason’s team, but this would not justify a lack of further investment from Patel and the club to increase the quality elsewhere in the squad.
Maja missed a huge chunk of last season due to injury, but still finished as the top scorer in the team, highlighting the gap in quality between him and the other attacking options.
Heggebo has arrived as another centre-forward, but a winger needs to join to help support Fellows and replace Grady Diangana.
West Brom need to hit the ground running at the start of the season, but the lack of further signings could lead to frustrating early dropped points.
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