Mason could now sign West Brom’s next Jonny Evans in £1.7m “monster”
West Bromwich Albion have boldly put their faith in the unknown ahead of next season as Ryan Mason embarks on his first proper managerial gig at the helm of the Baggies.
Mason has taken charge of Tottenham Hotspur previously on an interim basis, but this is an entirely different kettle of fish for the 33-year-old to get used to, with a hope hanging in the air that his fresh approach can finally guide the West Midlands side back up to the Premier League.
To boost his chances of securing promotion right away, Mason will no doubt be busy in the transfer market when it comes to incomings to stamp his mark on his new side, with experienced signings akin to the success story of Jonny Evans potentially in the offing.
Evans was a regular in the heart of the defence when the Baggies were routinely competing in the Premier League, and for good reason too, with the Northern Irishman very rarely putting a foot wrong at the Hawthorns.
Evans’ successful stint at West Brom
The 37-year-old is still amazingly going strong so late into his playing days, with seven Premier League appearances notched up for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United last season.
He might well have just been released by the Red Devils, but that doesn’t taint his successful stint with the Baggies at all, as Evans ended up tallying up 96 appearances for the then top-flight club over three seasons.
In total, Evans would collect a rock-solid 15 clean sheets across his three Premier League campaigns at the Hawthorns, with the dependable centre-back also chipping in with an impressive five goals and four assists, away from competently completing his defensive duties.
West Brom could be about to win their next Evans-style figure with this defensive target; therefore, with the colossus in question a similar under-the-radar presence to the 37-year-old when also consistently putting in sharp, yet unspectacular, performances at the back.
West Brom could land the new Evans
Mason will hope that adding in gritty battlers to this camp can help make their instant promotion dreams a reality, with the long-term goal that the Baggies end up being a Premier League regular again, like they were during Evans’ stint.
Nathaniel Phillips might well be what Mason and West Brom desire in attempting to land an up-to-date version of the Northern Irishman, with the Liverpool centre-back reportedly on West Brom’s shopping list as per The Athletic.
