During West Bromwich Albion’s 2017/18 relegation season to the Championship, they had several high-earning players who failed to perform, contributing to their downfall. Loanee Daniel Sturridge was one such example, earning a massive £130,000 per week after joining from Liverpool. However, he made only six appearances that season and left West Brom without scoring a single goal.
Nacer Chadli, despite not earning as much as Sturridge, could be considered an even more disappointing signing for West Brom. The club paid Tottenham Hotspur a record fee of £13 million to acquire Chadli’s services. Over two turbulent seasons, Chadli earned a significant wage, reportedly twice the amount that Jed Wallace currently earns in his second season at West Brom.
This signing turned out to be a drain on West Brom financially, with Chadli failing to make a lasting impact or justify his hefty price tag with standout performances on the pitch.
Nacer Chadli’s wage at West Brom
Nacer Chadli’s time at West Bromwich Albion can indeed be characterized as a significant disappointment and a financial drain for the club. Despite showing flashes of quality in his first season with five goals and five assists from 32 games, injuries and inconsistency plagued his time at the Hawthorns. His subsequent second season saw him making only five appearances before departing for AS Monaco.
Chadli’s struggles at West Brom were somewhat foreshadowed by his inconsistent performances at Tottenham Hotspur. His inability to consistently shine should have been a warning sign for West Brom regarding his potential impact.
The decision to increase Chadli’s wage from £55,000 per week to £60,000 per week after his promising first season now appears to be a costly error in hindsight. Football journalist Dominic Booth’s characterization of Chadli’s performances as “terrible” during his time at Spurs highlights the skepticism that surrounded Chadli even before his move to West Brom.
In the end, Chadli’s tenure at West Brom can be seen as a missed opportunity and a lesson in the risks of overpaying for potential without consistent performance.
Nacer Chadli’s wage compared to the current West Brom squad
Chadli’s extortionate £60k-per-week salary would see him rise to the top of West Brom’s highest earners currently, toppling Adam Reach in the process who pockets £20k-per-week less.
Amazingly, Chadli also comes in as earning two times the amount ex-Millwall man Wallace does. This is the case despite Wallace captaining Corberan’s men for the majority of this season, and the fact the experienced midfielder boasts four goals and five assists from 38 games.
| West Brom’s highest earners – 2023/24 | |
|---|---|
| 1. Adam Reach | £40k per week |
| 2. Daryl Dike | £32.3k per week |
| 3. Jed Wallace | £25k per week |
| 4. Okay Yokuslu | £25k per week |
| 5. Alex Mowatt | £22.8k per week |
| Sourced by Capology | |
However, the case of Daryl Dike serves as a reminder that even with a more cautious wage policy, transfer deals can still go awry. Despite earning the second-highest wage at West Brom, Dike has struggled with injuries, limiting his appearances to just 32 over three seasons.
This situation highlights the unpredictable nature of football transfers and the risks involved, even when clubs exercise more restraint in their wage structures. It underscores the importance of careful evaluation and management of players’ fitness and performance histories before committing to significant contracts.
West Brom fans won’t think about Chadli’s up-and-down time in the West Midlands all too often in the present though, focusing instead on cheering on their new set of promotion-chasing players who could return back to the Premier League soon.
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geraldine ikyelleve