West Bromwich Albion only offered Darren Fletcher a one-year contract this summer but Stoke City doubled it.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis was understandably disappointed to see Darren Fletcher leave The Hawthorns in the summer.
The former Manchester United favourite was a hugely influential presence both on and off the pitch with his game-management, experience and professionalism making him an excellent role model not to mention a handy central midfielder.
However, Fletcher admitted that he still felt underappreciated at the club, as reported by the Express and Star, and signed a two-year deal with Stoke City instead of signing a 12-month contract extension with the Baggies.
Yet, if there were any West Brom fans frustrated by the club’s treatment of one of Britain’s most successful active footballers, his disastrous performance against Chelsea on Saturday could ease their indignation.
Fletcher endured by far his most disappointing afternoon in Stoke colours against the Premier League champions, punished in the most ruthless fashion for misplaced headed backpass by a sublime Pedro finish for the second in a 4-0 thumping at the Bet365 Stadium.
The former Scotland skipper is a player who has relied on his energy for so many years but, at the age of 33, you wonder whether he has enough left in his tank to play for another two seasons at the highest level. It is not impossible to imagine why West Brom would only offer him a one-year deal.
And, in the meantime, the Baggies have freshened up their midfield options by adding PSG loanee Grzegorz Krychowiak to January signing Jake Livermore.
Fletcher has been and still is a fine player regardless of that disastrous afternoon against an Alvaro Morata-inspired Chelsea. But the Baggies should not be criticised for attempting to think of the future.
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