"I'd keep him" - West Brom: Pundit offers contract advice on 29-year-old | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer spoke exclusively to Football League World about West Bromwich Albion playmaker John Swift, who is soon-to-be out of contract

Pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has encouraged West Bromwich Albion to offer a new contract to John Swift, with the midfielder currently set to see his deal expire at the end of the season.

A number of senior operators at the Hawthorns are poised to be out of contract in a few months' time. Defensive duo Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley are both approaching the end of their deals, while Grady Diangana and Swift are also set to become free agents, as it stands, if they fail to agree new terms with the club before the summer.

Swift's situation is a particularly interesting one. The experienced attacking midfielder joined from Reading off the back of a stunning 11-goal, 13-assist haul in the 2021/22 campaign but has not been able to replicate that kind of form after trading Berkshire for the West Midlands.

Swift impressed in his first season with the club and scored nine times last time out but has endured a difficult campaign this time around. The Chelsea academy product has contributed just one goal and zero assists from 29 appearances and 14 starts, spread across 1,307 minutes, having started on only two occasions since Tony Mowbray took over last month.

The three-year deal he penned to join from the Royals is coming to an end, and Albion clearly have a big decision to make on the 29-year-old's future.

Carlton Palmer urges West Brom to renew John Swift's contract

Although Swift isn't a popular figure among supporters and has seen a deterioration in both his minutes and form this term, Palmer believes the midfielder's vast second-tier experience should see him earn a new contract if West Brom fail to gain promotion to the Premier League.

The Baggies are currently sixth in the league and are on course to achieve their second top-six finish in as many seasons, although they would face stiff competition inside the play-offs.

"West Brom have a decision to make over John Swift, whose contract expires in the summer," Palmer exclusively told FLW.

"I'd keep him. It all depends on where West Brom are next season, they've got a very good chance of getting into the play-offs. If they're in the Championship next season, I really would keep him.

"It depends on the terms and whatever, he is going to be out of contract in the summer so it's not just a case of West Brom keeping him, it's also about if he wants to stay. With Tony Mowbray coming in, he's a fantastic bloke and coach, you want to work with people like that.

"He hasn't quite shown the form we know he can do at West Brom. We know he's a really, really good player, he's still only 29.

"I'd keep him at the club, especially given his experience at Championship level."

Championship experience may not be enough for John Swift to earn new West Brom contract

Palmer is right to point to Swift's experience and nous at this level, but the reality is he has stagnated over the last twelve months or so and will celebrate his 30th birthday in the summer.

That means, with a new contract, West Brom would have a slim chance at tangible resale value and would likely have to offer not-insignificant wages, too.

A strong end to the season could see Swift strengthen his case for a new contract, and the ex-Reading star would still be a solid acquisition for many Championship clubs. But for one with evident ambitions of returning to the Premier League, it may soon be the best time to move on.