Nat Phillips reveals why he chose West Brom move over Derby County return, a ‘big factor’ was clear

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Ryan Mason has made Liverpool defender Nat Phillips his first summer signing at West Brom since taking the reins at the Hawthorns.

After head coach Tony Mowbray failed to secure a top-six spot at West Brom last season, the EFL veteran was sacked by the Hawthorns hierarchy.

Following the sacking of Mowbray, West Brom took time to land on his successor, and after weeks of speculation, Ryan Mason was named as the new Baggies boss.

Although Mason won’t get a massive transfer budget for his first window in charge, the Baggies’ first summer signing of Liverpool defender Nat Phillips was a massive coup for the club.

Now, the centre-back has revealed why he chose to sign for the Baggies in favour of a return to Derby County, where he shone last season during his loan spell away from Anfield.

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Nat Phillips reveals why he signed for West Brom after Derby County loan

Phillips is West Brom’s first summer signing, after his switch from Premier League Liverpool was confirmed on Monday, for an undisclosed fee.

The move comes following the central defender’s impressive loan spell at West Brom’s Championship rivals Derby last term.

Phillips played a pivotal role in the Rams’ second tier survival under John Eustace, encapsulated by his colossal display against fellow relegation candidates Hull City in the penultimate game of the season.

Derby were keen to sign Phillips permanently after his stellar season-long stint at Pride Park, and believed a deal could be done with the defender always set to leave Liverpool this summer.

Unfortunately for Derby and Eustace, the 28-year-old has revealed his decision to snub the Rams for West Brom is centred around ambitions for the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

After his Baggies arrival, Phillips told West Brom: “A big factor was that this is obviously a big club with high aspirations, and I’d say those aspirations align with mine.

“I think everyone at the club and involved would like to see it competing for promotion and pushing for Premier League football, and that’s the same as me. 

“I’m really looking forward to it and as soon as I found out about the interest I just wanted to get here and get going.

“Throughout my career I’ve always wanted to develop a rhythm and continue to play week in, week out. I feel like I did that in the second half of last season, and I want to continue that rhythm and try to take that into the season coming up.

“I’ve had a number of loans over the past few years and it’ll be really nice for me and my family to go somewhere and know we’re staying there to develop a relationship with the club and the fans.”

An acquisition in the ilk of Phillips’ experience and calibre could propel West Brom to a top-six finish in Mason’s first season in charge, given that he is precisely the profile of player the Baggies are in desperate need of.

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Nat Phillips is the perfect signing for West Brom and Ryan Mason

In the final weeks of his tenure last term, Mowbray publicly slammed his West Brom players, calling into question their bravery and desire.

Additionally, Mowbray singled out Daryl Dike, stating that the American striker was “not, in my opinion, at the level fitness-wise to help the team.”

Following Mowbray’s exit, a major rebuild is occurring at the Hawthorns under Mason, with Baggies veterans Grady Diangana, John Swift, and Semi Ajayi, who has signed for Hull City, all departing this summer.

The change at West Brom this summer encapsulates why Phillips is the perfect first acquisition of Mason’s Baggies era.

28-year-old Phillips brings with him depths of experience at Championship and Premier League level, a top flight winners’ medal, and has proved how crucial he can be after playing an integral part in Derby dodging the drop.

Mason’s priorities as West Brom boss this summer are entangled with attracting young talent from his former club, Spurs, on loan to The Hawthorns.

The abilities on the field and his leadership qualities will therefore make Phillips the perfect accompaniment and significantly bolster West Brom’s promotion prospects for the coming campaign.