Days after Shilen Patel's promise, a new West Brom transfer blunder starts to unfold
Shilen Patel's recent open message to West Bromwich Albion supporters could already come back to haunt him in the transfer market.
The Baggies have already made a start to their summer business, bringing in multiple new faces.
It's clear that Albion are focused on adding high-potential players to their ranks, as seen by the signings of Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Barney Stewart and Carter Pinnington.
Their respective skills will be assessed in due course, but Patel's recent promise to oversee clever recruitment processes moving forward has been highlighted in the trio of deals.
However, the players who leave the club also have an important story behind them, and not every decision has been the right one at The Hawthorns, with some out of contract this summer.
Michael Parker's case is one that instantly brings Patel's words into conversation, with the defender now seemingly proving West Brom wrong.
Michael Parker in middle of Old Firm tussle after West Brom blunder
In Patel's letter that was released on West Brom's official club website on 26 June, the American Businessman made big claims about Albion's recruitment.
Patel claimed that the recruitment staff have been important for the club, but acknowledged the need for improvement.
The West Brom owner promised that the club's use of data and other resources will help them make more efficient decisions moving forward, and in the case of Parker, it shows why this is such a strong focus now.
Albion allowed the 21-year-old to leave the club in January, as he then joined Swedish side Orgryte on a two-week trial, before signing with the club permanently.
A host of other European clubs are also said to be interested in the former West Brom youth star, who was let go easily just a couple of months ago.
Given the calibre of the clubs that are interested in the defender, it pinpoints exactly why Patel came out with the claims made regarding the Black Country Club's recruitment processes.
The stats show West Brom's mistake with Parker
Centre-back was a talked-about position for West Brom last season, until James Morrison settled with his defence before the back end of the campaign.
Still, Parker could be a huge blunder that comes back to haunt the Baggies for years to come, as he's already impressed European outfits in such a short space of time.
The Englishman has made 10 appearances for Orgryte in Allsvenskan this year, making 56 defensive contributions, and boasting an impressive 53.3 per cent aerial duel win rate, too.
Parker was always keen to make his stay at Orgryte permanent after being cast aside by West Brom, and now he could go on to have a successful career, which depicts another failure of judgement by the Baggies.
Albion did include a sell-on clause, though it's not currently known what percentage that stands at.