Tony Pulis identifies academy mistake West Brom made during his tenure
Tony Pulis thinks West Brom blew it by spending money on young players while they were in the Premier League rather than developing their youthful prospects.
The former Baggies manager believed a quality group of young players at the club during his tenure there should have been given more playing time. He was in charge at the Hawthorns between 2015 and 2017.
However, West Brom spent a lot of money on other young players in the hopes that they would later produce a profit. One such buy was Oliver Burke from RB Leipzig for £15 million, despite the fact that Burke only appeared 24 times over the course of three seasons while scoring one goal.
In an interview with the Express & Star’s Baggies Broadcast on September 11, Pulis spoke candidly about his time at the club. He said: “All of a sudden, there was this recruitment period that everyone seemed to buy into, but then it was new to me.Although I wasn’t completely sold on Burky, the club wanted to go in that direction, therefore I believe he was one of them.
Leko, Edwards, Kane Wilson, Sam Field, and Tyler Roberts made comprised what, in my perspective, was a really solid young group. Instead of investing in these players that the club thought they might sell for a large profit, I was more happy doing that. They frequented us and participated in the League Cup.
They were a good group that just needed a little more support and commitment, and the club definitely missed an opportunity there.
Missed a trick
You have to question whether West Brom would have been better off investing in some of their younger talent given where they currently sit in the football pyramid, especially given where some of these players’ careers have gone subsequently.
Until the summer, Jonathan Leko, who is only 24 years old, was playing for Birmingham City in the Championship. Kane Wilson, who won League Two Player of the Season honors with Forest Green Rovers before moving on to Bristol City, had less success there.
Tyler Roberts played it safe with Leeds United, then went on loan to QPR, and is currently playing for Birmingham in the Championship. Even though these players might not have been prepared for the Premier League in 2017, they would have been useful in England’s second division.
If they had stayed at The Hawthorns, it might have been very beneficial for the players’ own development. Since then, the majority of them haven’t been able to settle down and determine their exact level, which may have been simpler with the club they rose through the ranks with.
Hopefully, with Carlos Corberan in charge and limited resources, the Baggies won’t let any more promising players pass them by.
