West Bromwich Albion face the task of replacing Alex Mowatt in midfield after the 31-year-old departed for Derby County less than a week after leading the team out for a 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Rotherham.
Mowatt captained Albion in their first match of the season before the move, which was believed to be worth approximately £650,000. The transfer follows a pattern at the club — twelve months earlier, defender Darnell Furlong was sold to Ipswich just four days before transfer deadline day, also after wearing the captain's armband in Albion's opening Championship match against Blackburn.
Experience and wages
Both departures made financial sense for the club. Furlong's sale provided much-needed funds during a financially difficult period, while Mowatt's move avoids the prospect of him leaving for nothing when his contract expires in summer. Both players were on substantial wages for their age.
Mowatt had racked up almost 500 career appearances in the Championship and played a vital midfield role under head coach Carlos Corberan, regularly touching the ball more than any other player. Subsequent head coaches also relied heavily on his influence.
Options in the squad
Albion are better stocked numerically in midfield than they were at right-back when Furlong left. Jayson Molumby played more games in central midfield alongside Ousmane Diakite than Mowatt during the club's 10-game unbeaten run that secured their Championship status at the end of last season.
Academy product Harry Whitwell has impressed during pre-season, though he has operated further up the field. Left-back Callum Styles could replicate the midfield role he plays for Hungary, while Norwegian midfielder Felix Horn Myhre — described by a Norwegian journalist as his former club SK Brann's "most important player" — may offer another option.
