Bilkul’s financial advisor spotted in talks with Shilen Patel after West Brom’s first Championship loss
West Brom had their unbeaten start to the Championship season ended by a 1-0 defeat to Derby County on Saturday.
The Baggies continued The Hawthorns’ 125th anniversary celebrations with the encounter, but were handed their first league loss of the season by the side who were the first ever visitors to their current home.
Andreas Weimann’s goal condemned West Brom to defeat in a game where they largely controlled proceedings.
Ryan Mason and his men will be desperate to bounce back at the first opportunity, and Shilen Patel could already be eyeing action.
Shilen Patel seen with financial advisor watching West Brom Women
Shilen Patel has been heavily involved at West Brom since he became chairman in February 2024, and his level of engagement has been clear to see again in recent months.
The Baggies chief is a regular presence on social media and is clearly somebody who has a keen interest in the footballing side of the club, unlike several other club chiefs in the Football League.
- West Brom now sit fifth in the Championship after Saturday’s defeat
- It was the first time that they have failed to score in competitive action so far this season
- Derby have now won at The Hawthorns twice already this term (once in the league and once in the Carabao Cup)
Patel will have been as frustrated as anybody by Albion’s first defeat of the new season on Saturday, but he was also in attendance for the women’s team’s victory over Stoke City on Sunday.
The chairman was pictured on West Brom Women’s official X account while watching on at the Alexander Stadium alongside Andrew Nestor.
One photo showed Patel in discussions with another group in the stands, one of which has been identified as Ethan Gobetz, according to Express and Star journalist Lewis Cox via X.
Gobetz is the chief financial advisor of the Bilkul Football group who own Albion.
West Brom interaction could suggest likely January investment
West Brom’s squad changed drastically over the summer, but they appear to still have a group who are capable of competing, despite over £25million worth of sales.
Nevertheless, Patel’s discussions with Bilkul’s financial advisor perhaps hint at the fact that heavy investment in the squad could be imminent in the January window.
It could also be due to money-related issues elsewhere in the club, but it certainly seems likely that some sort of major decision could be in the pipeline for Patel in the coming months.
Whether that relates to the men’s or women’s teams remains to be seen, but the Albion faithful will certainly be hoping that these talks result in positive news.
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