Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Sun 24 May 2026 7:00, UK

Isaac Price must be central to West Bromwich Albion’s plans next season if they are to improve on their 2025-26 campaign.

Although the season ended on a positive note, it cannot be ignored that, from an Albion perspective, the overall Championship campaign was woeful.

After the dismal tenures of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, the Baggies turned to former midfielder James Morrison to steady the ship.

He did exactly that, overseeing a 10-match unbeaten run that secured Championship status for the Black Country club.

If West Brom are to avoid a repeat of such a season, Price must be at the heart of their plans going forward.

James Morrison began getting the best out of Isaac Price

As a player, the Northern Irishman typifies someone who does not fit neatly into a single position.

In the early weeks of the season, the versatile midfielder was often used in a second-striker role, scoring three goals in his first three games thanks to his intelligent movement in and around the box.

Although he boasts a superb right foot, Price does not quite have the natural playmaking flair of a classic number 10, yet he remains an extremely valuable asset, and nothing says his creative abilities will not improve.

As Albion’s form deteriorated first under Mason and then Ramsay, Price’s own performances suffered in tandem.

Since Morrison’s decision to adopt a two-man strike force, however, the 22-year-old began to rediscover his best form.

Stationed on the left side of midfield, he was free to drift inside onto his stronger right foot, once again becoming the persistent threat on and off the ball that he appeared to be early in the campaign.

For months, West Brom had been short of attacking inspiration, unable to sustain results even in games where they remained competitive.

With Price firing again, the Baggies have a man capable of being a matchwinner – and they must now make him the focal point of their plans going forward.

Isaac Price must be convinced of West Brom direction

Given his age and talent, Price has attracted – and will continue to attract – interest from clubs across the country, particularly from sides aiming to challenge at the top of the Championship.

West Brom should always be among those sides, and the crucial task now is to convince the midfielder that the 2025-26 season was merely a blip, rather than a reflection of where the Baggies currently stand in terms of stature, with things improving on the financial side.

With Morrison at the helm, Albion are looking to reset and go again after a difficult campaign.

They are also determined not to find themselves in a repeat of last season, when both Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows departed late in the window.

If West Brom manage to keep hold of just one key player this summer, Price should be at the very top of that list, to build the team around him, and go forward as they look to shoot up the standings.