Former Queens Park Rangers, Wycombe Wanderers and Blackpool star Matt Phillips is available on a free transfer following his release from West Bromwich Albion today, it has been announced.
Phillips moved to Loftus Road in 2013 after the club were relegated from the top-flight and helped the West London outfit to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking under Harry Redknapp. Unfortunately, the winger missed the infamous play-off final against Derby County through injury, in which Bobby Zamora’s stoppage-time winner sent the QPR fans into pandemonium at Wembley.
Throughout his time at Queens Park Rangers, Phillips had a big impact, recording 29 goal contributions in 94 appearances despite the club going through two gruelling seasons from 2014 to 2016, the first of which led to another relegation from the top tier of English football.
The Scotland international eventually left Rangers in 2016, signing a four-year deal with West Brom, where he has remained for eight years, becoming an important player for the Baggies, including the first half of this season.
Unfortunately, the 33-year-old picked up a nasty hamstring injury during a 2-1 defeat to Leicester City back in December. As a result, he started just one more game for the remainder of the campaign which came during a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in April.
Now, the West Midlands club have published their retained list, announcing that Phillips will not be handed a new contract, making him a free agent alongside the likes of Adam Reach, ex-Watford man Nathaniel Chalobah and former Stoke City defender Erik Pieters.
Writer’s View
Phillips could still be a really useful player for a club in the Championship. Prior to his long-term injury mid-season, the Scottish attacker was one of the first names on the teamsheet due to his ability to play several different positions, including as a wingback.
Perhaps a return to Queens Park Rangers could be on the cards, even just for twelve months. If his next club can get him back to his pre-injury form, they will have an excellent asset on their hands with immense experience in the second tier.
Deputy Head of Writing
