It is likely to be a straight battle between West Brom midfielders Nathaniel Chalobah and Jayson Molumby to see who starts alongside Alex Mowatt for Saturday’s clash at Sunderland, according to Joe Chapman.
The Birmingham Live journalist (8 December) predicts Baggies boss Carlos Corberan is likely to keep Molumby rooted to the bench at the Stadium of Light and start Chalobah alongside Mowatt in midfield.
West Brom ever-present Okay Yokuslu is out of Saturday’s crucial clash (9 December) due to suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card in the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City and Chapman tips Chalobah to get the nod ahead of Molumby.
He wrote: “In midfield, it’d appear to be a straight battle for a starting spot alongside Alex Mowatt.
Nathaniel Chalobah is of a similar playing style to Yokuslu and is deemed to be the likelier of the two candidates to get the nod, ahead of Jayson Molumby.
“Irish international Molumby hasn’t started an Albion game since the goalless draw with Millwall back in September. Chalobah started most recently at Southampton prior to his injury.”
Molumby was a regular in Carlos Corberan’s midfield in the opening weeks of the campaign, starting the first eight matches of the Championship season, but has not been named in the initial XI by the Spaniard since September.
The Irish international has fallen victim to the excellent form of midfield trio Alex Mowatt, Okay Yokuslu and Nathaniel Chalobah who have been rotated by Corberan throughout the Baggies’ recent good run of form.
With Yokuslu set to sit out Saturday’s game, Corberan does indeed have a crucial decision to make between Molumby and Chalobah who have been fringe players this season but to ensure of midfield security, Chalobah will certainly get the nod.
The former Watford and Chelsea man certainly hasn’t pulled up any trees like Yokuslu and Mowatt have this season but his experience and know-how at this level will certainly sway Corberan’s decision.
It’s a real shame for Molumby who was such a central figure at The Hawthorns last season. How quickly things change in football within a few months.
Should his lack of opportunities continue throughout December, the end may well be nigh for him. His opportunities for his country are of a direct consequence and that may be the decisive factor.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has set Josh Maja a new challenge to earn his first start in an Albion shirt
