West Bromwich Albion continued their impressive pre-season with a 4-1 win over Shrewsbury on Saturday, thanks to two goals from new signing Jimmy Jay Morgan.
The Baggies have strengthened their squad with the arrival of the former Chelsea attacking midfielder, who has scored three goals and provided two assists so far in pre-season.
Manager James Morrison will be hoping the former Southampton youngster, who left St Mary’s to join Chelsea, can provide the attacking spark that was lacking last season, when he only scored 48 goals in 46 Championship games.
West Brom continue to be linked with Southampton and are still looking for a replacement for Tom Fellows 12 months after selling him to Saints for £10m.
West Brom still need new Tom Fellows
The Baggies still need a replacement for the English winger in the 2025-26 Championship, having lacked creativity, particularly on the right flank.
West Brom’s most assists in the Championship in the 25/26 season | |
|---|---|
player | assist |
mikey johnston | 9 |
Ohne Heggebo | 4 |
alex mowat | 4 |
column style | 3 |
george campbell | 2 |
Danny Imray | 2 |
Isaac Price | 2 |
Mikey Johnston, who played on the left wing, was the only player on the team with more than four assists, but no player in that category reached double digits.
Danny Imlay, who spent the second half of the season on loan from Crystal Palace, was most creative on the right side of the pitch, registering two assists from right-back.
No Baggies player came close to the 14 assists Fellowes provided for the club in the 2024/25 Championship season, but he also assisted a goal against Wrexham earlier last season before his move to Saints was confirmed.
The 23-year-old star then assisted Southampton on eight goals in all competitions last season and will be instrumental in their promotion bid next season.
West Brom and Southampton vie for the same contract
But adding creativity to the squad doesn’t have to come only from signing a winger, as the club is eyeing a defender with shades of Fellowes.
Journalist Sasha Tavolieri has reported that West Bromwich Albion and Southampton are in contention to sign Rodes right-back Nolan Galvez in the summer transfer window.
The reporter claims both the Baggies and Saints have agreed a transfer fee with the Ligue 2 side, although the exact amount has not been disclosed.
Tavolieri added that the player has not yet decided which team he would like to join, but a “final” choice will be made within the next few hours.
Morrison needs to convince his players to choose the Baggies. Because the Baggies could arrive to add some much-needed creativity to their right flank.
Although Galvez is not a strong winger like Fellowes, he is a right-sided player and has the ability to consistently create chances for his teammates at the top end of the pitch.
25/26 League 2 | nolan galvez | Rank vs RB |
|---|---|---|
An opportunity has arisen | 48 | Top 3% |
Touch inside the opponent’s box | 52 | Top 7% |
dribbling success | 27 | Top 5% |
A big opportunity has arisen | 10 | Top 5% |
Shah | 4.60 | Top 5% |
assist | 7 | Top 3% |
the goal | 0 | bottom 1% |
Rodes’ creative output in League Two in 2025/26 shows he could be exactly what West Brom lacked in the Championship last term.
He has the quality to step forward and create goals regularly on the right, something Baggies supporters haven’t seen since Fellowes was sold to Southampton.
Of course, that also means the Saints could have two incredibly creative threats on the right side if they sign Galvez to join the Fellows next season and significantly strengthen their offense.
The 23-year-old defender doesn’t offer much of a goal threat after failing to score in the league last season, but that also applies to Fellows, who has scored just four goals in 2024-25 and is yet to score for Southampton.
Like any £10m winger, Galvez is a good dribbler and crosser and brings plenty of excitement down the right flank, but don’t expect him to score many goals.
It is up to the Baggies to ensure that the French full-back does not opt for a move to St Mary’s like Fellows. If he does that, he will eventually be able to show off his creativity on the right side.
