Former West Brom midfielder Matt Phillips has been linked with a move back to Wycombe by the Bucks Free Press.
The utility man is a free agent following his release by the Baggies, and it is now understood he would be open to a return to Adams Park, where he played 87 times between 2007 and 2010. The 33-year-old is reportedly training alone at his Oxford home in search of a new club, with Wycombe making sense geographically as his career winds down.
During his time with Wycombe he was twice name Young Player of the Season, and went on to play in the top flight with Blackpool, QPR and West Brom. He’s best known for his time with the Baggies, where he made 255 appearances, scoring 31 goals.
His time at Blackpool was turbulent as they fell out of the Premier League. Signing for them for a reported £350,000, the deal was expected to rise to £700,000. He scored once in the Premier League for the Tangerines and went on to score 17 goals in 102 outings. During his time at Bloomfield Road, the club rejected bids from Cardiff City and Southampton, the latter reportedly offering £6 million. However, £6 million was the reported fee paid by QPR when he did leave in 2013.
He also appeared for Scotland 16 times, scoring once as they beat Hungary in a friendly.
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In a post on his Instagram page, Phillips confirmed his Hawthorns exit, but also reinforced his love for the club. “On behalf of me and my family I would like to say a massive thank you for your support over the last eight years Baggies,” he wrote. “This club will always be in my heart and I wish it nothing but success moving forward! You have an unbelievable manager and a great group of lads that strive each day to do you all proud!”
That’s left him looking for a new challenge, and Matt Bloomfield’s side might be the right fit. Last year’s beaten EFL Trophy finalists finished tenth in the table, six points behind the play-off spots. It was a challenging campaign after the departure of Gareth Ainsworth, which saw average attendance fall.
However, a recent takeover has boosted the coffers and led to a raft of new signings. The Chairboys have been busy in the transfer market as they look to challenge for a play-off spot this season, signing Tyreeq Bakinson, Jaiden Bartolo, Alex Hartridge, Jack Matton, Brody Peart, Daniel Harvie, Daniel Udoh and Nathan Bishop.
Writer’s View
This doesn’t feel like a move Wycombe will make. There’s a lot of romance around a former player returning, but it doesn’t always work out. At 33, Phillips would certainly be a risk in terms of fitness, and the question would be whether Wycombe would be willing to pay the expected wages, given the risks.
There’s no doubt the player has had a stellar career, but as we saw in the Euros, football is increasingly turning to youth, not experience. A return would be headline-worthy, but in real terms, there’s surely no serious benefit on the field here that a younger, cheaper player couldn’t attain.
