West Brom Boss Tony Pulis Laughs Off the Idea New Captain and Star Defender Could Leave the Club
West Brom manager Tony Pulis has insisted that star man Jonny Evans won't be going anywhere this summer.
Albion's star defender has just been handed the captain's armband by Pulis, and the Welshman does not want to entertain any offers for Evans. Not Leicester City, not anybody.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club player Jonny Evans attends a press conference in Hong Kong on July 18, 2017, ahead of the 2017 Premier League Asia Trophy being played on July 19 and 22. / AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE (Photo credit should read ISAAC LAWRENCE/AFP/Getty Images)
ISAAC LAWRENCE/GettyImages
The former Manchester United man look very solid last season for the Baggies, and helped his side to a 10th-placed finish, which arguably could have been better if not for a poor run of form towards the end.
The Foxes tried to test West Brom's resolve with a £10m offer, but that was swiftly rejected - they then went on to sign Harry Maguire from Hull.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 06: Jonny Evans of West Bromwich Albion signs autographs while arriving at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and West Bromwich Albion at Turf Moor on May 6, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Jan Kruger/GettyImages
On the eve of the sides' game in the Premier League Asia Trophy, Pulis said firmly, as quoted by the Express & Star: "Jonny Evans is staying at West Bromwich Albion football club. There is no doubt about that.
"Jonny will be our captain next season. I’ve spoken to Jonny earlier in pre-season, he had a fantastic year last year and we’re hoping he steps up. He’s never been given this responsibility before.
West Bromwich Albion's Welsh head coach Tony Pulis watches the action during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 16, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Anthony Devlin / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP/Getty Images)
ANTHONY DEVLIN/GettyImages
"As I’ve said to him, I don’t want him to just be captain on the pitch, I want him to be the captain around the ground as well, look after the players and the dressing room for me."
Evans takes the armband after previous captain Darren Fletcher left the club on a free transfer to join Stoke City last month.
