In the eyes of Nottingham Forest fans, it makes little sense for Joe Worrall to swap the City Ground for West Bromwich Albion (The Sun).
And you can see what they mean.
After all, barring an escape that even Harry Houdini wouldn’t attempt, the Baggies will be joining Forest in the Championship next season.
West Brom have won just two of their Premier League games across 2020/21, the gap separating Sam Allardyce’s side from 17th-placed Burnley now wider than the Grand Canyon.
So why would Worrall, the £12 million-rated centre-back, consider leaving his boyhood club – one he has captained on a number of occasions – for a West Brom side who look set to live up to their ‘boing, boing’ nickname?
Although, if you will allow us to play Devil’s Advocate for a second, it is hard to imagine Nottingham Forest challenging for a top-six place any time soon; even if they do have a genuine promotion specialist in Chris Hughton pulling the strings from the sidelines.
The two-time European champions are still just four points above the drop zone despite a recent revival, with their squad chock-full of players who look past their best; see Anthony Knockaert, Glenn Murray, Jack Colback and arguably even Joe Lolley.
West Brom are unlikely to lose many of their key men over the summer. Few will have made much of an impression on Premier League scouts, after all.
So, like Norwich this season, the Baggies will return to the Championship as immediate title-favourites. If Worrall wants to prove himself in the top flight, West Brom may offer him the chance to do exactly that; even if 2020/21 is likely to end in relegation.
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