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da leao： Rekeem Harper is just another player in a long line of fantastic talents to come through West Brom’s youth academy. It’s a flourishing system but down the years they’ve seen too many leave.
The same could be about to happen to Harper, with the central midfielder’s contract running out this summer.
Attempts have been made by the Baggies board to tie him down, but as the season goes on it may be becoming a concern that he’s yet to sign a new deal.
In February the Express & Star reported that a new contract for the 19-year-old was moving a ‘step closer’ and then in March, the same publication reported that there had been ‘good’ talks between both parties.
But there hasn’t been an update since so it remains a real possibility he could depart the Hawthorns for nothing in a few months time.
With this in mind, what would the potential consequences be if he were to leave?
Field flourishes
Playing two inexperienced midfielders together is a gamble and, although West Brom kept a clean sheet with the pair of them in midfield on Easter Monday, it’s unlikely that they’d both be able to play in the same side.
Therefore, if Harper left then it would give a perfect opportunity for Field to come in and takes his place.
The 20-year-old is a more defensive minded player than his fellow teammate but the fact he’s a more disciplined individual may work in his favour going forward.
He’s only started four times this season in the league but made his first outing under James Shan this week. The academy graduate will be well known to the new manager due to his previous work with the U23s so they will already have a great natural understanding of each other.
Field is a calming influence and his emergence in the first team would be the perfect way to soften the blow of Harper leaving.
More academy frustration
A reoccurring theme over the years has seen West Brom lose a host of their brightest academy prospects. Izzy Brown moved on to Chelsea whilst the likes of Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts also fled the nest at the Hawthorns.
Although Field, another academy graduate, would benefit as a result of Harper leaving, it would bring yet more frustration upon the club’s wonderful youth set up.
Albion’s inability to keep their best young players at the club hasn’t appeared to be too much of a hindrance down the years, but you can only wonder what they’d be like had Brown stayed.
He was a wonderful talent and ever since leaving the Baggies he hasn’t shown too many signs of progression.
Perhaps Harper ought to look at his example and sign a new contract with the club. Either way, it’ll be hugely concerning for West Brom supporters that another of their most promising players is so close to the exit door.
If the club wants to be taken seriously when it comes to developing young footballers then they have to try and keep him.
West Brom can focus on what really matters
No one wants a player at their club who doesn’t actually want to be there and if recent performances are anything to go by it’s clear to see that this contract talk could be affecting Harper’s game.
His attitude and disinterest in recent matches has been alarming, particularly against Hull, as he was one of few negatives from the victory.
As we’ve seen in days gone by, contract talks can affect not only the player but the team too. In some senses, if Harper was to leave then it would likely be beneficial for everyone. There’d be improved morale and West Brom would be able to focus on matters on the pitch, rather than off it.
At 19-years-of-age he’s still young, but an attitude problem can be hard to fix and it may actually be a blessing in disguise if he failed to agree to new terms with the West Midlands club.
After all, Harper won’t be the last academy graduate West Brom have the opportunity to develop and, with players like Finn Azaz also waiting in the wings, Baggies supporters shouldn’t feel as worried.