West Brom signed forward Devante Cole in the summer, bringing him in following the expiry of his contract at Barnsley.
West Brom had to be shrewd where they could in the summer transfer window before this season. WBA might be under different ownership, but the impact of Guochuan Lai’s tenure is still felt to this day.
Even then though, there’s no frowning upon shrewd free transfer deals, and the Baggies struck one last summer by bringing Devante Cole to The Hawthorns off the back of his success at Barnsley.
The Jamaican international bagged 18 goals and laid on three assists for the Tykes in League One, so he looked to be a solid attacking signing for the Championship.
However, Cole has found chances hard to come by at West Brom, and it could mean eyes are already on pastures new.
Cole’s WBA role
Cole likely arrived at West Brom with the expectation he’d be playing a bit of a supporting role, competing for a starting spot and offering cover when required.
However, he made only seven Championship appearances under Carlos Corberan, amounting to only 65 minutes on the pitch. He appeared off the bench with more regularity over January, but Cole now hasn’t played in any of the last four league games.
Winter deals for Adam Armstrong, Tammer Bany and Will Lankshear have pushed the 29-year-old further down the pecking order and Tony Mowbray even opted for Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana as strikers before calling on Cole in the starting XI.
After such limited opportunities and another drop out the side under new management, you can’t help but feel Cole’s future lies away from WBA.
No blocks to summer exit
Armstrong and Lankshear might only be on loan but with Bany joining Josh Maja, Karlan Grant and Daryl Dike as options up top, it’s hard to see a West Brom exit being blocked for Cole.
He signed a two-year deal upon arrival, so the Baggies will be entitled to a fee for him if they wish. A side at the top end of League One or lower end of the Championship could be a goo d option for the former Barnsley talisman.
Cole has shown what he can do in front of goal before and he deserves to be somewhere he will get those chances. Barring a surprise break into the WBA team, heading to another club may offer the clearest route back to starting XI football for the striker.
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