'The best squad of players this club has ever had'

Chairman Tony Bloom is delighted with Albion's depth and believes they can compete at home and in the Conference League this season.

Bruce Talbot

2026-09-29T12:00+01:00

Albion chairman Tony Bloom. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Chairman Tony Bloom believes ‘the best squad of players this club has ever had’ can challenge at home and in Europe this season.

Albion start a busy schedule of eight games in 29 days when the Premier League resumes at Sunderland on 10 October.

That sequence includes games in the UEFA Conference League against Kauno Zalgiris, FK Jablonec and Getafe, a fourth-round tie in the Carabao Cup against Manchester City and four Premier League matches.

“I do believe that we have an immensely talented squad of players, the best squad of players this football club has ever had,” said Bloom.

“And we've got a really big squad of 30 players, not including some really talented youngsters as well. And the reason for that is during August we had ten injuries, and knowing that we've got Europe as well we just needed to make sure we had enough numbers.

“When everyone gets back if they're all fit at the same time, then Fabian [Hurzeler]'s got some really difficult decisions to be made. But he will much prefer that situation than not having much choice.

“I've been really impressed with the new players coming in, plus some of the players out on loan from last season. Ibrahim Osman has come back and obviously Malick Yalcouye has started the season extremely well. So I think we, as a club and as fans, should be looking forward to what this team can achieve this season.”

The Conference League campaign starts on 15 October against Kauno Zalgiris, who currently lead the Lithuanian League.

“We're really looking forward to it,” said Bloom.

“We know there's an element of pressure. We should embrace that pressure. We should look forward to it. Our fans definitely are looking forward to it.

"We've got the experiences of three years ago. We know how difficult it is playing Thursday night and then Sunday afternoon but we're a bit more used to it as a club. We know after the international break what a tough run of fixtures we've got, but I think we are fully prepared for it.”

Bloom also praised the impact Fabian Hurzeler has made at the start of his third season as head coach, with Albion third in the Premier League after beating champions Arsenal 3-0 in their last match before the international break.

“I think he's done really well in the first two seasons at the club,” he said.

“As we expected, of course, he's going to learn things. He's a really young head coach. He had 18 months of experience as a head coach at a high level and he's then come into the Premier League. In each of the two seasons he's had to come through some really difficult times.

“He's come through that by having real belief in his processes and his systems, and I think that experience will do him the world of good going forward. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he and the other coaches and the players will achieve this season.”