West Brom summer recruit Toby Collyer has said it was a ‘no-brainer’ decision to re-sign for the Baggies despite interest from Premier League new boys Hull City.
West Brom swooped to land the midfielder on a permanent basis from Manchester United in the last transfer window. WBA handed him a four-year deal at The Hawthorns running until June 2030.
Collyer, 22, spent the first-half of last season on loan with the Baggies. He then left in January and linked up with Hull City before returning to Old Trafford at the end of the campaign after the Tigers’ promotion from the Championship.
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Sergej Jakirovic’s side wanted him again but he went back to the Midlands instead. He has opened up about the move in an interview with the Express & Star: “When I evaluated everything, I pinpointed this place as the best place for me to develop, to take my game to the next level – in terms of everything, the building, the coaching staff, the lads.
“I think it’s a group sort of aspect when you look at it, you don’t look at one thing or another – look at everything and I felt this place was the best place for me to make the next step for myself and obviously wanting to come back here to such a great club with great coaching staff and lads. I really believe in this club, I believe in the ideas and everything to do with it so it was a no-brainer for me.”
West Brom midfield latest after Toby Collyer’s return to The Hawthorns
West Brom brought Collyer back to bolster their midfield department. He gives WBA more competition and depth in the middle of the park.
He battles it out with the likes of Jayson Molumby, Ousmane Diakite and Rabby Nzingoula, among others, for a place in the Baggies’ starting XI. He has made two appearances for James Morrison’s men since his move, both of which have come in the league.
West Brom need to make sure they keep Collyer fit over the coming weeks and months. He struggled with injury issues last term and didn’t play much football.
The ex-England youth international rose up through Brighton and Hove Albion’s ranks as a youngster and was a regular for the Seagulls at various different youth levels before Manchester United came calling. He then went on to play 13 times for the Red Devils before his temporary spells away.
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The Verdict: Toby Collyer was wise to join West Brom over Hull City
West Brom can offer Collyer more game time than Hull City. WBA will be able to provide him with a platform to show what he can do playing regularly in the EFL.
If the Worthing-born man re-joined the Tigers, he probably wouldn’t have played very much in the top flight. The East Yorkshire club have a fair few options at their disposal in midfield like Regan Slater, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Tim Iroegbunam, Matt Crooks and Hidemasa Morita so he would have faced a serious battle.
West Brom have made a solid start to the new season under Morrison and are in the play-offs along with Middlesbrough, Wolves, QPR, Stoke City and Bristol City after eight fixtures. They are a tough nut to crack at the back.
They lost 1-0 away at Wolves last time out before the international. Next up is a clash against Birmingham City next weekend.
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