West Bromwich Albion have boldly put their faith in the unknown ahead of next season as Ryan Mason embarks on his first proper managerial gig at the helm of the Baggies.
Mason has taken charge of Tottenham Hotspur previously on an interim basis, but this is an entirely different kettle of fish for the 33-year-old to get used to, with a hope hanging in the air that his fresh approach can finally guide the West Midlands side back up to the Premier League.
To boost his chances of securing promotion right away, Mason will no doubt be busy in the transfer market when it comes to incomings to stamp his mark on his new side, with experienced signings akin to the success story of Jonny Evans potentially in the offing.
Evans was a regular in the heart of the defence when the Baggies were routinely competing in the Premier League, and for good reason too, with the Northern Irishman very rarely putting a foot wrong at the Hawthorns.
Evans' successful stint at West Brom
The 37-year-old is still amazingly going strong so late into his playing days, with seven Premier League appearances notched up for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United last season.
He might well have just been released by the Red Devils, but that doesn’t taint his successful stint with the Baggies at all, as Evans ended up tallying up 96 appearances for the then top-flight club over three seasons.
Games played
30
31
28
Goals scored
1
2
2
Assists
1
1
2
Interceptions*
3.0
2.4
1.7
Tackles*
2.5
1.4
1.0
Clearances*
3.5
4.9
4.5
Total duels won*
5.8
4.4
4.3
Clean sheets
7
4
4
In total, Evans would collect a rock-solid 15 clean sheets across his three Premier League campaigns at the Hawthorns, with the dependable centre-back also chipping in with an impressive five goals and four assists, away from competently completing his defensive duties.
West Brom could be about to win their next Evans-style figure with this defensive target; therefore, with the colossus in question a similar under-the-radar presence to the 37-year-old when also consistently putting in sharp, yet unspectacular, performances at the back.
West Brom could land the new Evans
Mason will hope that adding in gritty battlers to this camp can help make their instant promotion dreams a reality, with the long-term goal that the Baggies end up being a Premier League regular again, like they were during Evans’ stint.
Nathaniel Phillips might well be what Mason and West Brom desire in attempting to land an up-to-date version of the Northern Irishman, with the Liverpool centre-back reportedly on West Brom’s shopping list as per The Athletic.
The £1.7m-rated brute has often had to make do with a background role at Anfield, but he has shown off his brilliance on occasion for the Reds, with this stylish piece of skill away at the San Siro one standout moment from his Liverpool career to date.
Away from that isolated clip, the 6-foot-3 “monster” – as he was once labelled by Jurgen Klopp – has also collected a favourable seven clean sheets from his sparing 19 top-flight appearances on Merseyside, on top of also showing off his strengths as a defender more widely when out on loan in the EFL.
Games played
32
Goals scored
1
Assists
3
Ball recoveries*
2.6
Clearances*
5.0
Total duels won*
6.0
Clean sheets
5
This season just gone, in particular, the 28-year-old would shine bright on loan with Derby County, with an imposing average of six duels won per Championship contest helping the Rams stave off the relegation positions in the division.
He would be expected to come in and be as strong for Mason’s men, but with promotion their main end-goal, over seeking out survival.
This wouldn’t be a jaw-dropping pick-up that gets Hawthorns spectators out of their seats, but Phillips could be just what West Brom need in defence to strengthen ahead of a promotion run-in. With prior experience at an elite Premier League club – like Evans – he could well be a worthy addition.
If he’s steady and slots in well, he could even go on to star for the Baggies in the top-flight, much like Evans did all those years ago.
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