With nothing to play for on the last day of the 2024/25 season, West Bromwich Albion took a more carefree approach, putting five past Luton Town in an eight-goal thriller.
Among all of this, Harry Whitwell made his whole league debut, coming on with 12 minutes remaining. The 19-year-old center midfielder impressed during the season with the West Brom U21s, appearing and scoring frequently in both the Premier League 2 and the Premier League Cup.
| Harry Whitwell’s West Brom U21 stats in the 2024/25 season, per Transfermarkt | |||
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Premier League 2 | 17 | 8 | 3 |
| Premier League Cup | 5 | 0 | |
However, Whitwell is certainly ready for some regular senior football, and despite appearing in a number of matchday squads last season, the Baggies will most likely be unable to provide him with the game time he requires this season.
As a result, FLW’s West Brom fan commentator, Callum Burgess, believes that a loan move from The Hawthorns will be required, as Whitwell hopes to return to the fold as a major component of Ryan Mason’s squad in the future.
West Brom fan commentator provides his assessment on potential loan deals
“I think that Harry Whitwell will benefit from a loan out this season after making his first league appearance for Albion in the last game of last season against Luton,” Burgess told Football League World at the time.
At The Hawthorns, competition in the midfield regions is fierce, with Isaac Price, Alex Mowatt, and Tammer Bany vying for the more attacking midfield role, and it’s evident that the inexperienced Whitwell will struggle to displace those from the starting eleven this season.
“He has competition for places with the likes of Price and Bany, and even though we’ve lost Grady Diangana and John Swift in those areas this summer, it’s unlikely that we’ll target another midfielder,” says Burgess.
“I believe a move to a League Two club would be extremely beneficial for his development.
“It would provide him with first-team football for a year, rather than playing in the Premier League 2 and occasionally appearing as a substitute.
“So getting some senior minutes under the belt will be very beneficial for him.”
Harry Whitwell’s next move should be to regular senior football
Despite mostly playing in midfield, Harry Whitwell recorded eight goals and five assists in all competitions for West Brom’s U21s this season.
In addition, the 19-year-old captained the side once, against Everton in March.
It’s clear that Whitwell needs a step up, so if the competition at West Brom is too strong, and the kid isn’t fully prepared to compete in a Championship club vying for a play-off spot, a loan move further down the pyramid is unquestionably the best option for his development.
If Whitwell’s loan is for pure senior football experience, a move to a division Two club may be ideal, as he will be able to demonstrate more class in a lower division, putting himself well for a return to the Baggies at the end of the season.
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