(Credit: Breaking Media/Manh Tung)

Josh Edwards

Thu 9 April 2026 16:00, UK

Hindolo Mustapaha has played a grand total of one minute in the Championship for West Bromwich Albion.

The winter transfer window was always going to be a strange one, and perhaps one that Albion weren’t overly keen on utilising to its full potential.

Mustapaha was one of those who arrived at The Hawthorns, having impressed at youth level for Crystal Palace.

The teen made his debut for the Baggies in their FA Cup defeat against Norwich, albeit finding himself hooked at half-time.

And since then, Mustapaha has played one minute for West Brom, raising a quite important question.

Why did West Brom sign Hindolo Mustapha?

On the face of it, it made some sense.

The 19-year-old had just come off the back of a season in which he scored 11 goals and registered nine assists for Crystal Palace’s Under-21s, before joining Nurnberg on loan.

He made just two appearances there, which is the same number he has managed at The Hawthorns, making his arrival a baffling one.

Mustapaha actually showed a few signs of promise on his debut for Albion, but the lack of minutes he has had since then is bizarre, especially when taking into account some of the injuries in the forward areas.

Since his one-minute cameo in the draw with Southampton, Mustapha has been an unused sub on four occasions, with no sign of another appearance anytime soon.

West Brom must avoid Mustapha repeat this summer

Very, very rarely does it work out when a Championship side loans in a youth player with little to no experience of senior football, and that has been the case with Mustapha.

Regardless of which division the Baggies are in next season, they must avoid making the same mistake this summer.

Their experience has dragged them to the brink of safety in the Championship, and that needs to be considered ahead of what will be a huge summer of recruitment.