Ousmane Diakite: West Brom fans buzzing over contract renewal – ‘Mali Makelele’
West Bromwich Albion fans have expressed their delight at Ousmane Diakite’s contract extension with the Championship strugglers.
Diakite has committed his future to The Hawthorns outfit until the summer of 2027, with the Mali international’s contract previously set to expire at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has made 31 appearances for West Brom this season, scoring one goal, with the midfielder likely to play a big part in whether or not James Morrison’s men stay up this term.
After the club triggered the option to extend his stay a further 12 months, he said: “I’m so happy to be extending my stay here for another year. I’m really proud.
“This place feels like home. I love West Bromwich Albion, I love the fans and I love the people that work here.”
While you cannot please everyone, it seems the vast majority of West Brom fans are happy at this development.
West Brom fans applaud club for rare good decision
This season has been one of woe for West Brom. For a squad that should be challenging in the top half of the table, they are currently hovering just above the relegation zone.
The Baggies took a punt on 34-year-olds Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay but both were sacked within a matter of months.
| Ryan Mason’s West Brom record | 27 games: 9 wins, five draws, 13 losses, win percentage: 33.33 |
| Eric Ramsay’s West Brom record | 9 games: 0 wins, four draws, five losses, win percentage: 0 |
But it seems West Brom fans are delighted that the club have extended Diakite’s deal amid their relegation battle.
Another fan wrote on X: “One of the few I’d keep. Most of the rest can go, especially after downing tools for the previous coaches,” and another tweeted: “He’s so good he’s got to get longer than that surely. Baller.”
Diakite joined West Brom from TSV Hartberg in 2024 and has since made 55 appearances. The defensive midfielder has impressed recently and the Baggies will need him to maintain that level in the coming weeks.
West Brom face crucial stretch in relegation fight
At this stage of the season, where there is eight games to go, every Championship match is massive.
West Brom haven’t dropped into the English third tier since 1991 and despite an upturn in form, with five points from their last three games, relegation is very much a possibility.
Morrison’s side are just one point above the bottom three, ahead of a difficult trip to Bristol City on Saturday.
Despite goalkeeper Max O’Leary limping off against Hull City last Saturday, there is a good chance he will still start against the side he left in January.
In the coming weeks, West Brom host play-off chasing Wrexham, are away to relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers, and entertain fourth-placed Millwall.
After beating Hull 3-0 last time out, hopes will be high of another win, this time at Bristol. But West Brom have repeatedly suffered setbacks this season and more may yet come as they bid to beat the drop.
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