Yahoo News West Brom players begin to address their futures as contract decisions are made
West Bromwich Albion players have begun to address their futures and reflect on the recently ended Championship season - including Matt Phillips, the Baggies' longest-serving player, who has bid farewell to The Hawthorns after eight years at the club.
Albion, beaten in the play-off semi-final by Southampton, now have to make calls on a host of first-team and academy players whose contracts are due to expire this summer. Phillips heads a list which includes fellow senior figure Kyle Bartley, key pair Alex Mowatt and Cedric Kipre and midfield understudies Nathaniel Chalobah and Yann M'Vila. Defenders Erik Pieters and Martin Kelly and winger Adam Reach are also on the list.
Phillips was signed by Tony Pulis in 2016 and, despite a string of serious injuries over the course of his time in the Black Country, he would go on to make 255 appearances for Albion, scoring 31 goals and producing 31 assists - and playing under eight separate permanent managers - in that time.
READ: West Brom set to make contracts decision as Carlos Corberan insists on average age point
He has paid tribute to the supporters who have backed him and intimated that the club will 'always be in my heart'. Phillips described Carlos Corberan as 'unbelievable' and indicated his hope that Albion can go on to achieve success following his departure.
“On behalf of me and my family, I would like to say a massive thank you for your support over the last eight years, Baggies," Phillips posted on Instagram. "Past and present players, managers, training ground staff, stadium staff, everyone in between! This club will always be in my heart and I wish it nothing but success. You have an unbelievable manager and a great group of lads that strive each day to do you all proud.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Chalobah also hinted that his time is up; he signed on an 18-month deal from Fulham in January 2023 but his participation waned after the arrival of M'Vila and his last start came in the defeat to Sunderland in mid-April. He simply posted: "Thank you Baggies #NC14."
Mowatt, like Kipre, is a player who many Albion supporters would like to see remain at The Hawthorns; his three-year contract is due to expire, but his time at the club really came to life this past season under Corberan and he remained an integral part of the starting XI right the way through the season.
He didn't indicate either way whether he'd be staying at the club or leaving for pastures new, but merely posted: "Gutted with the way it finished but thankyou for all your support this season it’s been unbelievable."
