Jonny Evans will improve even more as West Brom captain, says Tony Pulis

Jonny Evans will get even better as West Brom captain, says Tony Pulis
Jonny Evans was the subject of interest from Manchester City, Leicester and Arsenal in the summer Credit: Pa

Jonny Evans is poised to face Manchester City on Wednesday with Tony Pulis insisting he will only improve after being appointed captain.

Evans was a target for Pep Guardiola during the summer transfer window, with West Bromwich Albion turning down two bids for the Northern Ireland international.

Leicester also had a £23m offer rejected while interest from Arsenal resurfaced for the second successive year, with Albion sticking to a £35m valuation.

West Brom are due to open talks with Evans over a new £85,000 a week deal and Pulis believes the former Manchester United defender can only get better.

“Jonny has always been a technically good centre half but he’s become a better defender and the responsibly now of being captain will take him on again,” he said.

“I think he said he was a West Brom player until anything changed and he’s remained a West Brom player, thank goodness. We move on with it now and we’ll march forward.

“He’s a very fit lad, he picks up one or two injuries but Jonny has got a lot more in the tank. He’s a lad who could play well into his 30s.”

Pulis has pledged to field a strong team against Guardiola’s City, who have blasted 15 goals in their last three matches.

Jake Livermore will be absent from the squad after being given time off due to the England international being “mentally jaded”, but Nacer Chadli could return.

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