West Brom unsure about new Gareth Barry contract but could have a similar influence to John Terry at Aston Villa in the Championship?
Barry only signed a one-year deal at the Hawthorns when the midfielder joined from Everton last summer, but with a clause written in based on the amount of games he played.
Yet with the Baggies seemingly on their way to the Championship with a 2-1 home defeat to Burnley at the weekend leaving them 10 points from safety with eight matches left to play, they are unsure whether they want to keep the 37-year-old.
That is because off-the-field incidents have marred Barry’s time at the club recently, with the veteran one of four senior players who were allegedly involved in taxi-gate and he was also pictured in a Birmingham nightclub the night before that loss to the Clarets – despite being injured and unable to play.
Barry the new Terry?
Yet should West Brom be so quick to dismiss someone with so much experience in the game, having recently broken Ryan Giggs’ record of most Premier League appearances?
Just as John Terry has been so influential at Aston Villa this term after joining from Chelsea, Barry could have the same impact at their West Midlands rivals if they are, as expected, playing in the second tier of English football in 2018/19.
Recent misdemeanours may suggest otherwise, but the title-winner with Manchester City is considered an ultimate professional both on and off the pitch and while the top flight might now be beyond him, in the Championship perhaps the midfield ace still has much to offer.
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