This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
West Bromwich Albion are firing on all fronts this season.
The senior team sits atop the Championship table after 16 matches as the division embarks on the final international break of the season while their academy continues to hold up its acclaim of being one of the best around.
But that can often be counter-productive as the club are now finding out on a regular basis.
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In the summer, they lost two of their most promising talents in Louie Barry, who rejected a new contract to join La Liga giants Barcelona, and Morgan Rogers, who joined Premier League champions Manchester City for £4m.
Now the Baggies may be on the verge of similar happening as just this week Rico Richards and Jovan Malcolm have been linked to several top-flight teams following their impressive performances for the Albion U18 squad.
West Brom are quite powerless at this stage as neither player can sign a professional contract until they are 17-years-old so they are free to leave before then as whatever team signs them will only have to pay the west Midlands club a nominal fee.
Their decision on whether to stick or twist may well hinge on how Rekeem Harper has been treated this campaign.
The 19-year-old has always been regarded as one of the best prospects the club have ever had, and when manager Slaven Bilic took charge, one of the first things he sought out to do was renew his contract amid interest from Juventus and Liverpool.
However, the central midfielder hasn’t featured in a matchday line up since August and has played just six minutes in the Championship all season.
He must surely be regretting that decision now.
If you are either Richards or Malcolm looking at this situation, you will surely feel that similar may happen even if it is still a long way before they enter the senior fold.
The lure of being part of a Premier League standard academy on top of how harper has been treated may be enough to see West Brom lose more of their emerging starlets.
