West Bromwich Albion veteran Chris Brunt is heading towards the end of his 12th season with the club. As the former Northern Ireland international approaches his 35th birthday, speculation about his future continues. Brunt says he has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet, but will he be lacing up those boots for another campaign at The Hawthorns? He is currently West Brom captain and still capable of being an influential member of the squd.
Chris Brunt: Still Influential
History
Whatever happens with West Bromwich Albion and Chris Brunt this summer, his time with the Baggies has been memorable. He joined in the summer of 2007 from Sheffield Wednesday for £3million and has gone on to make over 400 appearances. One of only 17 players to reach the landmark in the club’s 141-year history. Signed as a left midfielder, Brunt would show his versatility and reliability throughout the years. During his time at The Hawthorns he’s occupied every position across Albion’s midfield. Also featuring at left back in spells.
Brunt has staked his claim on a place in the annals of Albion history. A pivotal part of West Brom’s transition from yo-yo club to Premier League regulars. Helping West Brom maintain a lengthy top flight stay, he was integral to the side that earned Albion’s highest ever Premier League finish – 8th in 2012/13.
This Season
He no longer possesses the agility of youth needed to get up and down the wing but Brunt is still a big influence in this Albion side. He’s evolved into a permanently central player, interim boss James Shan playing him as the deepest lying midfielder.
His ability to carve out chances for his teammates with his notoriously accurate left foot remains his signature. He is responsible for 11.3% of West Brom’s high quality chances this season, third highest in the squad. He continues to to be a familiar face in Albion matches despite approaching the twilight years of his career. 26 appearances this season keeps up his personal record of never playing fewer than 25 games in a West Brom campaign. Only failing to reach 30 appearances twice.
A costly error in his landmark 400th club appearance handed Middlesbrough all three points back in February and led to Darren Moore dropping his captain. West Brom’s form plummeted and seven games later they were without a manager and cut adrift of automatic promotion. James Shan’s first decision as interim manager was to reinstate Chris Brunt to the starting 11. A goal and an assist against Swansea followed by a solid performance against Brentford and Brunt had helped the Baggies earn back to back wins.
Still Influential
Chris Brunt wants to achieve a third promotion with West Bromwich Albion and remain at the club next season. But is unlikely to know with any certainty until the summer with West Brom still without a permanent manager. The veteran has seen his fair share of managerial changes in his time at The Hawthorns. He’s played under nine different head coaches, being selected by most. Something he hopes will continue, and why wouldn’t it?
Chris Brunt has adapted his game to accommodate his limitations whilst still causing havoc with his characteristic left-footed delivery. Few players in the league would you want stepping up to a dead ball. He has surpassed all expectation since his arrival at the Midlands club. The only player to reach 250 Premier League appearances, he currently sits inside the top 40 for all time Premier League assists. Brunt is West Bromwich Albion’s top goalscorer of the 21st century, he is still massively influential, and he’s not done yet.
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