Tony Mowbray once almost signed Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder for West Brom
Tony Mowbray will always be remembered for his first spell at West Brom despite the failures of last season.
The Baggies had hoped to reach the play-offs last season, but the English manager was unable to work his magic in B71.
Ryan Mason has arrived at The Hawthorns and has gotten off to an impressive start, sitting second after four games in the Championship, and getting someone like Chris Mepham will undoubtedly improve their promotion chances.
The Black Country outfit made some impressive signings in the previous transfer window, with George Campbell showcasing his talent against Stoke City in the 1-0 win on 30 August, but they once had an opportunity to get a Ballon d’Or winner.
Luka Modric transfer to West Brom fell through in 2007
Mowbray could have had Luka Modric at his disposal had the Baggies won promotion in 2007.
The Albion have historically had a good relationship with Dinamo Zagreb, and during the English manager’s first spell, he wanted the Croatia international at The Hawthorns.
Unfortunately, the Black Country outfit were unable to win promotion to the Premier League after losing to Derby County in the play-offs final in the 2006/07 campaign.
A year later, Mowbray managed to take the West Midlands outfit back to the English top flight, but things may have been different had they managed to do the same 12 months back.
Ryan Mason to end five-year absence from Premier League
Nat Phillips and Mepham’s partnership against Stoke highlighted that Mason has a promotion-winning partnership at his disposal.
With Alfie Gilchrist once tipped to be the next John Terry, the right side of the Baggies’ defence also looks to have solid options.
In the middle of the park, Alex Mowatt and Jayson Molumby are capable of being robust, while Isaac Price can bring the creativity that the Albion have lost after Tom Fellows’ sale.
- Middlesbrough are two points ahead of the Baggies in the league table.
- Mason is unbeaten in the Championship, with the Albion scoring six goals and conceding three.
- The Black Country outfit did lose to Derby in the Carabao Cup first round.
West Brom will be confident about their chances to end their five-year absence from the Premier League in 2026, with three wins and one draw so far in the Championship.
Up front, Aune Heggebo has shown why the Black Country outfit spent £4.75million to sign him from SK Brann.
Samuel Iling-Junior and Mikey Johnston will be expected to chip in terms of goals and assists, and The Hawthorns faithful are rightly excited about their prospects.
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