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According to The Sun on Sunday (May 5, page 59), West Brom are interested in appointing Swansea manager Graham Potter as their permanent boss next term.
Jimmy Shan currently has the reins until the end of the season but it’s not known what Albion’s idea beyond that is.
Promotion to the Premier League will likely have a considerable say in any plans that are put in place but Potter is the latest name to take the fancy of the Baggies’ hierarchy.
His appointment would be an interesting one, especially given his record at Ostersunds. However, something he’s done at Swansea could see one particular player at West Brom flourish if he came back to the club.
On the chalkboard
Since Potter has been with the Swans he’s handed first-team opportunities to a number of young players at the Liberty Stadium.
It’s something that’s paid dividends too as after 12 players left the club last summer, 69% of their goals were scored by players under the age of 23.
After years of seeing their best academy talents leave, this would come as exciting news to Baggies supporters if Potter was to arrive. One of Swansea’s best players this term has been Dan James, who has scored four goals and claimed seven assists in the Championship.
Playing from the left wing, he’s been a major part of their squad and has burst onto the scene in some fashion. This would be particularly encouraging for Albion winger Kyle Edwards, who is of the same age and can play in the same position.
He’s featured 11 times this campaign, scoring one goal, but has yet to really show his true potential.
Edwards is undoubtedly one of the best rising talents in West Brom’s squad and given the way Potter has developed James at Swansea, he could reach another level next term under the same stewardship.
The 43-year-old is a terrific man-manager and young players seem to have thrived under the confidence issued by Potter this season.
If he can come close to replicating that with the Baggies, providing he makes the move, then the club could finally see their academy players make the step up to the senior team more often.
