West Brom urged to swerve 'risky' Liverpool transfer | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom expert Callum Burgess has urged his side not to sign Liverpool's James McConnell on loan this winter.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Concerns have been raised over West Bromwich Albion's reported interest in Liverpool midfielder James McConnell, as they could end up with a similar situation as they have with Toby Collyer.

Reports emerged recently that the Premier League champions were set to recall McConnel from his loan spell at Ajax, with the Reds waiting until the end of the January transfer window to make a decision on whether he will remain at Anfield, or be loaned out again.

The 21-year-old already has plenty of suitors in England though, as West Brom are one of a host of Championship clubs, including Swansea City, Oxford United, and Derby County who are all reportedly interested in taking the midfielder on loan.

The Baggies have endured a poor start to the season, and head coach Ryan Mason is under pressure to turn things around and avoid getting the sack, which will likely see him busy in the January transfer window.

However, if West Brom do sign McConnell, they will need to be careful that they don't end up in a similar position as they currently find themselves in with another one of their on-loan midfielders.

Following the news of McConnell's imminent recall and West Brom's interest, Football League World spoke to their resident Baggies expert, Callum Burgess, and asked him whether he'd be pleased with the loan acquisition of the young midfielder.

Callum responded: "I think it would be risky making a move for McConnell in the sense that we've just had Collyer on loan for half of the season, another young midfielder who's had very limited exposure to first team football, and then he's had various injury troubles.

"I think McConnell might've had [injury problems] as well, but I'm not 100% sure.

"I think it would've been a better idea to try and bring in a midfielder who's a little bit more experienced, and you know what you're getting from him.

"McConnell's had very limited first-team football with Liverpool, then Ajax this season, so you don't end up with the same problem we've had with Collyer arising again.

"But of course, until we see him play, it's difficult to make a judgement," Burgess concluded.

West Brom will want to avoid Toby Collyer repeat with James McConnell

McConnell is undoubtedly a quality player, and a hugely exciting prospect for the future. However, Callum raises a key point in the argument against signing him, with his limited experience in senior football so far.

The 21-year-old has just 20 senior appearances under his belt, and whilst these all came at a high level, there is a huge risk that the Baggies may end up with a repeat of Collyer, rather than someone who can come in and make an instant impact.

Collyer was an exciting signing for West Brom, having made a handful of senior appearances for Manchester United, but his time at The Hawthorns has been disturbed by injuries, and his lack of first-team experience has showed at times.

This has made Albion fans skeptical about signing McConnell, as he's also at a similar stage in his career as Collyer, with limited first-team experience, which isn't the type of player the club needs right now.

As Callum alluded to, West Brom need to sign experienced players who can make an impact right away, and turn their season around. Whilst the Liverpool youngster is a highly-rated prospect, he feels like much more of a risk given the way Collyer's loan spell has gone.