"I don't think he has to worry" - Carlton Palmer issues Jed Wallace, West Brom claim | OneFootball

Jed Wallace has not featured much for West Bromwich Albion this season, and EFL Pundit Carlton Palmer has offered an exclusive verdict to FLW

Carlton Palmer has urged Jed Wallace to stay put and fight for his place at West Bromwich Albion after falling down Carlos Corberan's pecking order.

The former Millwall winger was named as club captain over the summer following Jake Livermore's departure, although he is yet to start in the Championship so far this season.

West Brom have embarked on a sensational start to their 2024/25 campaign by winning three times and claiming a draw at home to Leeds United, and that form has taken them to second in the table behind Sunderland.

However, Wallace has not been a part of their early success on the pitch, featuring from the bench and playing just 52 minutes across the three fixtures he has been available for without contributing any goals or assists.

Carlton Palmer's Jed Wallace verdict amid current West Bromwich Albion situation

Although Wallace has fallen somewhat in the pecking order as of late, Palmer nonetheless believes that he should bide his time and refuse to entertain any potential ideas about leaving the club.

Palmer exclusively explained to Football League World.

"Wallace is 30 now, which I don't believe is an old age as a footballer if you keep yourself fit. He played 40 games last season as West Brom got to the playoffs.

"He picked up an injury in pre-season and that was towards the final friendly against Birmingham City, so I think that's just unfortunate. I think he's a very, very important player for West Brom. I think he will feature quite a lot for them this season, I really do.

"I don't think he has to worry about whether or not he should be moving on at the moment, this could turn out to be a really big season for West Brom.

"They've got off to a fantastic start and unfortunately that's the way it goes in football. If you pick up an injury and the club gets a good result, then you have to bide your time to get back into the first-team.

"Obviously if you're not playing over a longer period of time, all footballers want to play and if you're not playing then you've got to assess your future, but I don't think that's a problem for Wallace at the moment. There's competition for places, they've brought in good players and that's what it's about.

"If you're going to have a squad to challenge at the top-end of the table then you've got to have competition for places. I've always said I'd want to play, I wouldn't want to be sat on the bench but sometimes you pick up an injury or you have a drop in form, you've got to bide your time to get back into the first-team.

"You shouldn't automatically be looking for a move just because you're out the team. Obviously if the manager doesn't rate you and doesn't want you around that's a different ball game, you get off and go and play your football.

"But Corberan has stated how important his captain is to the team."

Jed Wallace may struggle to start regularly for West Bromwich Albion

Even though Wallace did indeed have an injury in pre-season, it could still prove difficult to envisage him starting too many times for Corberan's side this year.

Rising star Tom Fellows has been the Baggies' standout performer thus far by making three assists from four outings, while the arrival of last season's loan hero Mikey Johnston will also add further difficulty to his situation.

It is clear that Corberan visions Wallace as a crucial part of his squad in terms of the experience and leadership qualities he provides, but Fellows and Johnston are both among the best and most productive wide players at this level so, as Palmer says, he may just have to bide his time.