'If Pascal wants 13 back, he deserves it!'

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Jack Hinshelwood reflects on terrific win over Chelsea and the return of Pascal Gross.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-04-25T00:00+01:00

Jack Hinshelwood's goal against Chelsea was the tenth of his Albion senior career. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Jack Hinshelwood paid tribute to Pascal Gross after the 3-0 victory over Chelsea, in which he scored his second goal of the season.

The England Under-21 international also has not ruled out giving the Germany midfielder his number 13 shirt back next season after he came back from Dortmund to find his favourite shirt number taken.

“Yeah, there's conversations to be had,” Jack said. “If he wants it back, he deserves it back for what he's done for this club – it's nothing short of remarkable. You saw him again [against Chelsea]. It's an absolute joke really, isn't it?

“He's come back and slotted in like he was never gone and that's been a massive help for us. Pascal's unbelievable, he's an incredible player and a massive player for us.

Pascal Gross has made three assists in the Premier League since his return in January. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

“Although we were in that disappointing run, it was fine margins. We just went back to basics and back to training hard every day, putting in that intensity that we saw against Chelsea in the first half, the intensity we played with. We created so many chances and I thought we thoroughly deserved the 3-0 win.”

His goal came at the end of a typically lung-bursting run in support of Georginio Rutter’s breakaway. “I maybe had a bit of relief after missing the chance in the first half. But I was delighted to get the goal.

“The miss felt bad at the time. But the defender reacted really well when I didn't see him go to the line. I thought it was just an empty net. When the goals haven't been coming in for me lately, sometimes you maybe have that doubt in front of goal. But I thought I stuck with it really well and kept doing what I can. Luckily Georginio put one on a plate and I couldn't miss that one.”

The players’ reactions to Jack breaking a goal drought that has lasted since his strike against Brentford on 22 November said everything about the camaraderie at the club.

Jack Hinshelwood now wears the number 13 shirt, having taken it when Pascal Gross departed the club in 2024. 📸 by James Boardman.

“I don't know if every changing room is like this in England but I've obviously only experienced this one and it's a special place,” he said. “You really look forward to coming to work and just being with your teammates.

“We all have such a good relationship and that can only help on the pitch. If someone's missing a tackle, you know the next person's behind you. You saw against Chelsea the togetherness within that performance is something we're going to need going forward.”

Despite the shortage of goals, Jack has enjoyed his adjustment to the number ten role. “I try to just give my all for the team. I love my teammates, I love the manager, I love the staff, I love the fans, I just love the club. And every time I go out there, I try to just give 110%. And no matter what position that might be, I just try to help the team going forward.”