Loan spells at Norwich City and now Red Bull Salzburg suggest West Bromwich Albion made the right call.
Andre Wisdom may have plenty of time on his side at the age of just 23 but there’s a feeling that he has already hit a crossroads in his career. One path leads him on the way to becoming a solid Premier League quality defender. The other? A nomadic career ending with fans checking Wikipedia to find out where he’s ended up.
The former England Under-21 international is still contracted to Liverpool, yet has not played a game for The Reds since 2013. In the last two seasons, on loan at Norwich City in the lower reaches of the top flight and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, Wisdom has played just 15 league games.
In fact, the downward turn in a previously promising career can be attributed to one moment in particular; Tony Pulis’ arrival at West Brom on New Year’s Day 2015. After a 3-0 home reverse to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the month, Wisdom only played twice more in the Premier League that season.
Not that too many West Brom fans were clamouring for his return to the team. The Baggies were a defensive shambles in the ill-fated reign of Alan Irvine.
Pulis’ arrival, and Wisdom’s removal, coincided with the foundation of a sturdier, resolute backline and the club amassing enough points to survive.
And, two years on, it’s unlikely that Pulis is losing any sleep over his decision to discard the Leeds-born defender. Out of favour in Austria, Wisdom’s chances of making the grade at Liverpool, even with their own defensive issues, appear to be slipping away.
And it’s unlikely that he would be offered a Premier League lifeline at The Hawthorns.
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