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How Ryan Mason’s new-look team could line up in the Championship
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After more than seven years of learning his trade as a coach, former Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City midfielder Ryan Mason will step into the world of management for the first time with West Bromwich Albion.The 33-year-old will be the youngest manager in the Championship next season and is nearly half the age of the club’s last permanent head coach Tony Mowbray, who was dismissed in April after his side’s play-off dreams were dashed after a poor string of results.
Mason in his first venture into management will be immediately tasked with trying to get the Baggies back into the Premier League for the first time since 2020/21 when the club were relegated with Sam Allardyce taking the reins for the final months of that season. The one-time England international has had the chance to learn from some of the greatest minds in the game, including Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and most recently Ange Postecoglou where he helped the Aussie finally end Spurs’ long-trophy drought.
Now he will hope to put his teaching into practise at the Hawthrons, and in order to achieve his dream of promotion at the first time of asking, he’ll be more than aware of the need for signings. But how are West Brom likely to line-up next season under the guidance of the former Doncaster Rovers loanee, and what signings are the club likely to make? Here based on the latest rumours we take a look at what the line-up could look like at the Hawthorns next term.
Goalkeeper and defence
West Brom sold Alex Palmer to Ipswich Town in the dying moments of the January transfer window, leading to a late scramble which saw Josh Griffiths get recalled from his loan at Bristol Rovers.The 23-year-old played six times as he shared duties with Joe Wildsmith but it’s suspected the Baggies could get a more experienced name.
As of yet, there’s not been any concrete links of a goalkeeper signing at the Hawthorns but a feasible target could well be Preston’s Freddie Woodman, who is set to become a free agent. The Newcastle academy graduate, 28, has six seasons of Championship experience, won the Under-17 World Cup with England, and won the Championship Golden Glove in 2020/21.
At right-back, West Brom are likely to stick with defensive stalwart Darnell Furlong, who in October signed a contract extension until 2027. He racked up 42 league appearances last term and has experienced promotion with West Brom in the past. In central defence, Kyle Bartley remains an experienced and trustworthy option at 34 as he heads into his eighth season at the heart of defence. He’ll likely play alongside Torbjørn Heggem, who was a constant figure for most of the campaign.
At left-back, Nottingham Forest ace Harry Toffolo is out of contract and has been mooted by EFL analysis as a solid target to provide experience to the back four. He made scored six and assisted seven for Huddersfield in 2021/22 before making the move to Nottingham Forest.
A new-look midfield and attack
Former Leeds United ace Alex Mowatt is likely to once again be utilised at the heart of midfield. The tough-tackling midfielder scored seven and chipped in with two assists and was an ever-present for most of the campaign last term. He’ll likely play alongside Jayson Molumbu in a familiar midfield pairing.
Ahead of the duo, Ryan Mason could look to use his Tottenham connections to his advantage to strike a loan move for talented youngster Jamie Donley. He enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Leyton Orient where he scored 10 and registered eight assists in League One and looks more than ready to make the jump up to Championship level.
Meanwhile, on the left hand side, Mason could also look to acquire another Spurs youngster in Mikey Moore. The 17-year-old was compared to Neymar by James Maddison after a dazzling display in the Europa League and could benefit hugely from a loan spell at Championship level, with Tom Fellows likely to depart to a Premier League side.
On the right wing, West Brom could look to try and sign in-demand Peterborough ace Kwame Poku ahead of rivals Birmingham City and Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers. He scored 12 and assisted eight in League One during a hugely impressive campaign for the Posh. Leading the line once he returns to fitness is likely to be top scorer Josh Maja. The ex-Sunderland man has proven himself to be one of the best in the division when fit and firing.
Full West Brom line-up: Woodman, Furlong, Bartley, Haggem, Toffolo, Mowatt, Mulumbu, Donley, Moore, Poku, Maja.