There’s a widespread acceptance within the walls of West Bromwich Albion that Dara O’Shea likely won’t be the final high-profile – and yet otherwise wholly avoidable – departure from the club this summer.
Saddled with debt inflicted on them by the ownership, there is a need to find means with which to repay it.
It’s sad, really, that for Albion it’s come to this. O’Shea, for example, is a player who you could’ve pictured lining up to take his place at the heart of their defence for years to come. Instead, he’ll be something of a protegee to Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany, and anything he goes on to achieve in the next few years will be to the benefit of Burnley.
The move itself will hopefully work for O’Shea, whose sale as an asset was a necessity for Albion, but the incoming fee will only put a dent into a black hole the Baggies have been left needing to fill. It’s just a result of how poorly run, by those at the very, very top of the club, Albion have been in recent years.
It’s a situation, to a degree, that the new face of the club, MD Mark Miles, and head of football operations Ian Pearce have inherited. Both, upon confirming their new roles this summer, have confirmed that players will have to go, because the off-field situation demands it. So, who might be next?
Carlos Corberan, who swimming against the tide is trying to achieve something meaningful with the resources at his disposal, was his dignified self when addressing O’Shea’s exit: “I understand that some players who have been part of the club for a few seasons are not going to stay for the next one, and Dara O’Shea is an example of that. I understand that these things are going to happen.
“The club has always been very honest with me about the financial possibilities and this is something I really appreciate. The fact the financial possibilities are different just increases our challenge and our motivation to create a competitive squad, which is what everyone involved with the club wants.”
Still, despite the need to raise cash – Josh Griffiths, upon his return from representing England under 21s at the Euros later this summer could be another who attracts interest from elsewhere and might be deemed another asset the club must offload if a suitable offer lands in their inbox – Albion must fill certain gaps and avoid the nightmare scenario where they’re left too stretched to compete at the end of the Championship table that they wish to.
A centre back, despite the retention of Erik Pieters, would be useful. Kyle Bartley’s injury record last season didn’t make for great reading and, after the loss of O’Shea, they must also factor in that Semi Ajayi will most likely be called away to represent Nigeria in December time, before the tournament commences in January. That’d otherwise leave Cedric Kipre, previously out of favour, veteran Pieters and young Caleb Taylor, whose Championship experience is limited, so a centre half in the leadership mould of O’Shea is key.
At the other end of the pitch, the need for a goalscorer is imperative – perhaps the most important piece of business Albion could possibly conclude this summer. Daryl Dike won’t return until 2024 and will naturally have to be managed carefully whenever he does return after a spate of injuries which have haunted his time at The Hawthorns so far. Brandon Thomas-Asante chipped in and led the line earnestly last year after making a two-divisional step up, but at least one more forward isn’t just desired – it’s desperately required.
Albion aren’t blessed with an enormous squad, and the futures of other players are likely to come into the reckoning in the coming weeks – including the likes of Karlan Grant, Alex Mowatt and Grady Diangana, the latter of whom isn’t yet ready to return to training after surgery earlier this year – and while the players coming into the club this summer won’t have O’Shea-like price-tags, there remain areas of the squad which require urgent attention. The club can only do its best to address them within what they’re working with.