Phillips starts, Grant misses out: How Ryan Mason’s strongest West Brom starting XI could look

West Brom supporters have plenty of questions surrounding how Ryan Mason will line up the Baggies when the season gets underway in a month’s time.

West Brom are preparing for another year in the second-tier, and new boss Ryan Mason is tasked with improving on last season’s disappointing collapse. After enduring such a high turnover of players last season, WBA supporters will be hoping for a more stable campaign.

Some could say that the Championship looks to be wide open this season. The likes of Bristol City last season showed that no one can be ruled out to make a late push – despite falling short against Sheffield United in both legs.

With much of this summer’s business still to be done, we take a look at what West Brom’s current strongest starting XI could be…

The current strongest West Brom starting XI

(4-3-3)

Griffiths; Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles; Price, Diakite, Mowatt; Fellows, Maja, Johnston

Two weeks into Mason’s first pre-season at the club, Nat Phillips has been the standalone signing so far after joining from Liverpool. As of yet, there has not been any players who featured regularly in last season’s starting XI that have left the club.

Josh Griffiths would be the smart choice to start the season between the sticks. The academy graduate impressed in the first-half of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers and he will be hoping to make the goalkeeper spot his own.

Darnell Furlong suffered from the departure of Carlos Corberan and his form dropped after the Spaniard left. Nevertheless, he remains a strong option at Championship level.

Following his impressive form on loan at Derby County, Phillips would replace Kyle Bartley in the WBA XI.

Torbjorn Heggem impressed and won the players’ and fans’ player of the season for the 2024/25 campaign. Should he remain at The Hawthorns, he would be forming a strong partnership with the former Liverpool Defender. Callum Styles is the natural choice to be West Brom’s starting left-back.

Isaac Price has been one of West Brom’s standout players since joining. Fans will be hoping he brings his goalscoring form at international level with Northern Ireland to the Championship. Ousmane Diakite could have the nod over Jayson Molumby due to being a more natural defensive midfielder, and Alex Mowatt’s passing range could make for a fine midfield trio.

If he stays, Tom Fellows would be one of WBA’s main sources of creativity on the right-wing.

Josh Maja will be competing with Daryl Dike to start up front. The Nigerian’s ability to link up play gives him the edge over the American. There will be hopes of Mikey Johnston reaching the heights of his initial loan spell in the 2023/24 season. The Irishman remains a constant threat whenever he gets the ball.

Where will Mason want to strengthen?

A lot will be dependant on outgoings. Heggem and Fellows are among those who are being linked with a move away and if they move on, they will definitely need replacing.

A new defensive midfielder will be on the wanted list. Questions remain over if Diakite is good enough to be a starting midfielder for West Brom over the course of the season.

While Price can play further forward in midfield, Tammer Bany is the only other option at attacking midfield. A versatile attacker who could play as a ‘number 10’ and on the wing would be an area of interest to WBA.

Johnston and Karlan Grant are more than capable at Championship level. Nevertheless, if a talented winger did become available WBA should look to bring an additional wide player into the squad.