Despite the departure of Alex Palmer, West Bromwich Albion will end the winter transfer window without signing a new goalkeeper—but even though the deadline has now passed, the Baggies can still bring in new players under the right circumstances, which could prove helpful should the goalkeepers lined up to replace Palmer struggle.
Palmer joined Premier League side Ipswich Town on deadline day in a move believed to be worth up to £5m, but it leaves Tony Mowbray without an established first-choice goalkeeper ahead of what promises to be a tense and challenging battle for a Championship play-off place.
Back-up Joe Wildsmith, who arrived at the Hawthorns in the summer having previously played for Derby County, will battle for the number one jersey with 23-year-old Josh Griffiths, who was recalled from a promising loan spell at Bristol Rovers in the aftermath of Palmer’s departure.
But while Griffiths and Wildsmith will get the first chance to prove they are worthy of the gloves, West Brom do still have options if their prospective glovesmen should struggle.
West Brom could still sign new goalkeeper
Thanks to FIFA’s transfer rules, clubs can still sign free agents who aren’t currently attached to a club regardless of transfer deadlines, and there are a few experienced goalkeepers who are currently without a club and who could offer an option to Mowbray should they be needed.
Former France international Benoit Costil, for instance, has been without a side since he left Italian outfit Salernitana at the conclusion of last season, while Tomas Vaclik, who has won 54 caps for the Czech Republic and turned out for Huddersfield Town, Sevilla, and Basel, among others, is also available following the end of a short-term contract with Spanish side Albacete.
The fact that West Brom can make free agent signings even after the winter transfer deadline has closed may offer some comfort as Wildsmith and Griffiths, two relatively inexperienced stoppers, prepare to battle for the gloves in the midst of a tough run-in.
Griffiths set for chance to shine
The Baggies currently sit sixth in the Championship table, but after a surprise 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle over the weekend, they are only holding on to the final play-off place by goal difference alone, and there will be little room for error down the home straight with the top half of the table as crowded as ever.
The pressure will likely be intense as West Brom push to make their return to the top flight, but Griffiths is likely to be given his chance to claim the spot after being recalled from Bristol Rovers, where he led League One’s total saves over the course of a brief but impressive spell.
29-year-old Wildsmith, meanwhile, has nearly 200 senior career appearances for Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, and Barnsley and was the Rams’ first choice goalkeeper during their promotion campaign last season, so Mowbray will hope that his two glovesmen have enough quality and experience to see the Baggies through—but at least, should the worst happen, there will be some options available to the club.
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