Amid all the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Sam Johnstone and Matheus Pereira the future of another West Brom man, Kyle Bartley, had slipped under the radar of late.
Like Johnstone, the centre-back had just one year left on his contract and, according to the Birmingham Mail, that didn’t go unnoticed with Premier League trio Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Burnley eyeing defensive reinforcements.
And who could blame Bartley if he wanted a fresh start in the top flight?
West Brom will be testing themselves against Luton rather than Liverpool this season, heading to the Madejski rather than Manchester.
No one would begrudge him if Bartley, who has spent much of his career in the second tier, didn’t fancy another 46-game slog.
But Bartley, a natural-born leader and old-school warrior, was never going to walk away so readily. That new one-year deal is a reflection of his commitment to the Baggies’ cause.
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New boss Valerien Ismael has brought the good times back to the Hawthorns. The West Brom squad quickly bought into his direct, up-and-at-em approach – and Bartley looks set to play a major role under the former Barnsley coach.
Bartley does most of his work in the defensive third, of course, but don’t bet against the 6ft 3in powerhouse making his presence felt at the other end of the pitch this season.
Ismael’s Barnsley side were a major threat from crosses and set-pieces, with centre-back Michal Helik scoring five times in the Championship in 2020/21.
If Bartley can get anywhere near that number while holding the fort at the other, his contract extension will certainly have been worth it.
Here’s what some West Brom fans had to say on Twitter about Bartley’s new contract:
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