'99% chance' - 'Isolated' Josh Maja tipped for West Brom exit | OneFootball

Josh Maja has endured a frustrating 12-month period at The Hawthorns

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…

West Bromwich Albion have been backed to part ways with Josh Maja at the end of the current season, with the striker's misfortune over the past 12 months at The Hawthorns continuing under Eric Ramsay's management.

Indeed, the former Fulham and Sunderland man did feature in Ramsay's latest matchday squad against Birmingham City at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, but failed to get onto the pitch in the dramatic West Midlands derby which saw the goalless draw do way more good for the Baggies than it did for their local rivals, who are fighting for a play-off spot.

Albion have climbed two points clear of Blackburn Rovers, who currently occupy the final spot inside the Championship's relegation zone, as a result of successive goalless encounters against Blues and Stoke City, during which Ramsay has heaped praise on his side's newfound defensive solidity, whilst admitting there needs to be an improvement over time from his attacking midfield and centre-forward departments.

With Albion not in league action until February 21st, when they face off against promotion-chasing Coventry City in B71, Ramsay could rotate his side for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Norwich City at Carrow Road, which comes less than three weeks after the Canaries ran riot with a 5-0 success in the West Midlands on January 20th.

As such, Maja could be handed his first start since then under the former Minnesota United boss, which would give him ample opportunity to remind the Baggies faithful of what he brings to the table.

However, Football League World's West Brom fan pundit, Callum Burgess, only sees one eventual outcome regarding the Nigerian striker, and that is him moving on at the end of the campaign when his contract expires.

West Brom backed to offload Josh Maja after Eric Ramsay snub vs Birmingham City

Maja's spell at The Hawthorns has been one of extremely mixed fortunes, having initially signed for the club at the beginning of Carlos Corberan's only full season in charge after exiting French club, Bordeaux.

In his first season with the Baggies, the London-born striker's season was massively impacted by a serious ankle ligament injury, which saw him score just once in 12 appearances.

It looked as though the forward had put such troubles behind him, though, as he started the 2024/25 season in a rich vein of form - largely through an opening day hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Yet, after scoring 12 times in 26 games, Maja was back on the treatment table through a long-term leg injury, and he has only started seven matches under Ramsay or his predecessor, Ryan Mason, since returning from the sidelines, whilst also scoring against Norwich at Carrow Road in October, as well as the FA Cup third round triumph over Swansea City.

As such, Burgess believes the writing is on the wall as far as the £17,000 per week earner's time in the Black Country is concerned.

"I'd go as far as saying that there's a 99% chance that Maja won't remain an Albion player beyond this season," he claimed.

"I think that injury has taken a lot out of him in the sense that he's not as effective as he used to be.

"Last season, he was able to sniff out chances very quickly and get on the end of crosses. Perhaps he might be suffering from the sale of Tom Fellows, with Albion losing a creative edge through his departure," Burgess debated.

"He's not really been able to create many chances. His link-up play last season was tremendous, but he's been an isolated figure at times. That's how I'd describe him.

"I think, with Heggebo and Dike, they're more effective options right now, and I'd be surprised if Maja remained at Albion beyond this season."

Josh Maja has limited time to turn his West Brom woes around amid contract expiration

Ironically, Maja's only start under Ramsay was one where he was not utilised in his natural centre-forward position - a decision which certainly left Albion supporters perplexed at the time.

Unsurprisingly, Aune Heggebo continues to be the club's main focal point in terms of a goalscoring outlet, with the Norwegian scoring nine times in his first 34 games for the Baggies, whilst Dike offers a differing dimension due to his powerful build.

As such, opportunities have been few and far between this season for Maja, who now has under five months to address his current fortunes, or else it would be no surprise to see him and Albion part ways on June 30th.