It is the summer time of the striker for West Bromwich Albion, with new everlasting boss James Morrison overseeing an actual overhaul in that division already.
Daryl Dike has lastly flown the nest after an injury-hit time on the Hawthorns, whereas Karlan Grant has opted to affix Charlton Athletic on a free switch, regardless of being provided a brand new deal by the Baggies.
The identical is true of Josh Maja, with the one-time Sunderland man not anticipated to return this summer time, a indisputable fact that has seen Morrison commerce expertise for youth, with Barney Stewart and Jimmy Jay-Morgan now within the constructing.
By all accounts, the Championship facet aren’t accomplished simply but both, with Southampton’s Cameron Archer believed to be the first goal on the desk.
Why Archer may very well be a hit at West Brom
Contemplating the Englishman scored simply 4 Championship targets final time period, it is simple to see why there is likely to be a good few Baggies followers turning their nostril up on the potential arrival of Archer this summer time.
It has been an extended whereas for the reason that 24-year-old has been a prolific power in entrance of objective, scoring simply six league targets throughout 2023/24 and 2024/25, albeit whereas having been working within the Premier League at that stage.
And but, if the one-time Aston Villa man can recapture the shape he beforehand showcased on the likes of Middlesbrough and Preston North Finish, then Morrison may very well be onto a winner, having proven greater than sufficient to be impressed by beforehand.
In 2022/23, as an illustration, he scored 11 targets in simply 20 video games whereas on mortgage on the Riverside, alongside registering an extra six assists, trying like the whole ahead in that transient, profitable stint.
Previous to that, Archer had additionally scored seven in 20 Championship video games at Deepdale, hailed by then-boss Ryan Lowe as a “Jermain Defoe-type” striker.
|
Archer – Profession Document |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Membership |
Video games |
Targets |
|
Saints |
76 |
11 |
|
Sheff Utd |
32 |
4 |
|
Solihull |
27 |
4 |
|
Boro |
23 |
11 |
|
Preston |
20 |
7 |
|
Villa |
14 |
4 |
It hasn’t fairly panned out since that large billing, however there are little doubt causes for that, with the participant struggling to discover a constant residence.
Certainly, he was despatched out on three loans by Villa, previous to signing for Sheffield United in 2023. Archer was then re-signed by the Villans, earlier than being instantly offered on once more to the Saints.
Underneath the proper coach and on the proper membership, there’s a actual participant there someplace, though that is to not say West Brom could not nonetheless signal an improve.
How West Brom may improve on Archer this summer time
No matter whether or not Archer indicators or not, one challenge for Morrison may properly be the shortage of expertise in his facet subsequent season, notably on the high finish of the pitch, with the likes of Maja, Grant and Jed Wallace having all moved on.
It will make sense then to focus on some confirmed Championship figures to assist change them, with Archer’s former Southampton teammate, Ross Stewart, absolutely one possibility to think about.
It was famous earlier this summer time that the Baggies could be sensible to pursue the Scotland striker, following the expiry of his St Mary’s contract, with there having not but been any developments concerning his future, regardless of speak of a possible return to the south coast.
Contemplating no participant on the Hawthorns even reached double figures for league targets final season, Stewart would absolutely characterize the proper addition, doubtlessly a good larger match than the aforementioned Archer.
Certainly, whereas, as famous, Archer solely scored 4 Championship targets in 2025/26, his skilled colleague earned his place in Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad after netting 9 instances for the Saints.
Harm did inhibit his progress, but it’s price noting that the 29-year-old reached that tally from solely 12 begins, scoring at a price of 1 objective each 123 minutes, whereas boasting a 28% objective conversion price.
For context, Archer did solely begin 11 video games himself final time period, but his scoring price stood at only one each 260 minutes, whereas recording a objective conversion of simply 13%.
Whereas Stewart did solely begin 4 league targets throughout 2023/24 and 2024/25 as a consequence of harm, he had once more loved an actual Championship purple patch with Sunderland in 2022/23, netting ten instances in simply 11 begins.
That had come after he’d helped fireplace the Black Cats to promotion the 12 months prior, as the present free agent scored 26 targets in 49 League One video games.
In fact, that is reaching again a good distance now, with Stewart’s health considerations prone to be a nagging challenge for the Baggies, but contemplating the prospect is there for a free switch, these doubts ought to properly be eased.
As 2026 showcased, Stewart has confirmed he will be an much more prolific presence than Archer when match and firing.
