Former West Bromwich Albion forward Andy Johnson has urged the Championship club to secure the long-term future of Nigerian striker Josh Maja, insisting that the forward remains an important tactical asset whose qualities would be difficult to replace if he leaves The Hawthorns.
The appeal comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Maja’s contract situation, with the Super Eagles forward entering the final phase of his current deal and no publicly confirmed agreement yet reached over an extension. The situation has sparked discussion among fans, analysts and former players about West Brom’s attacking planning heading into the next season.
Johnson, who enjoyed a successful spell at the club during his playing career and remains a respected voice among supporters, described Maja as a forward with rare technical intelligence and versatility. He emphasized that the Nigerian international contributes far more to the team than just goals, highlighting his movement, link-up play and ability to operate across different attacking roles.
According to Johnson, Maja’s understanding of space and timing allows him to connect midfield transitions to attacking phases in a way that enhances the overall fluidity of West Brom’s offensive structure. He argued that such attributes are not easily replaced in the modern transfer market, particularly at Championship level where tactical balance often determines consistency over a long season.
Josh Maja, who currently represents West Bromwich Albion, joined the club from Bordeaux in 2023 with expectations of strengthening their attacking options. Since his arrival, his spell has been marked by both promising performances and frustrating interruptions due to injuries, which have limited his ability to maintain sustained form.
Despite these setbacks, the 27 year old forward has still delivered important contributions in key matches, including decisive goals and intelligent attacking play that have influenced results across Championship fixtures. When fully fit, Maja has shown glimpses of the player who once attracted attention across Europe for his technical ability and composure in front of goal.
Born in England but representing Nigeria internationally, Maja’s football journey has taken him through several competitive environments. He first emerged as a promising talent at Sunderland, where his breakthrough performances earned him a move to French side Bordeaux. In France, he continued his development, refining his attacking instincts and gaining valuable experience in a different tactical system before returning to English football.
His international status with the Nigeria national football team has further increased interest in his club career, with national team selectors closely monitoring his playing time and fitness levels as part of their forward options.
Johnson’s comments have added weight to an ongoing debate among West Brom supporters regarding squad continuity and attacking depth. While some fans have expressed concern about Maja’s injury record, others believe his technical quality and experience make him a valuable squad member worth retaining.
The Championship is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding leagues in Europe, requiring depth, rotation and tactical flexibility. In that context, players like Maja, who can drop deeper to link play or operate as a central striker depending on the system, are often seen as strategic assets rather than one dimensional forwards.
Football analysts have also noted that West Brom’s decision on Maja’s future will likely depend on a combination of factors, including fitness reliability, wage structure, squad planning and the availability of alternative attacking targets in the transfer market.
However, Johnson believes the club would be making a mistake if they allowed the striker to leave without fully considering his potential impact in a consistent, injury free run. He stressed that continuity is often key for forwards, who rely heavily on rhythm, confidence and understanding with teammates.
Supporters have also pointed out that Maja’s intelligent movement off the ball and ability to create space for others adds an additional layer to West Brom’s attacking approach, even in matches where he does not score.
From a national team perspective, stability at club level is also seen as crucial for Maja’s future involvement with Nigeria. Regular minutes and consistent form are essential for maintaining his place in a competitive attacking pool for the Super Eagles.
As the season progresses, attention will increasingly shift toward contract negotiations and West Brom’s long term planning strategy. The club faces a familiar Championship challenge of balancing financial sustainability with the need to retain experienced and technically gifted players.
For now, Johnson’s message reflects a strong sentiment among some sections of the football community that Josh Maja remains an undervalued asset whose best contributions may still lie ahead if given continuity and proper fitness management.
Whether West Brom act on that view or move in a different direction will become clearer in the coming months, but the conversation surrounding Maja’s future is already shaping up to be one of the key talking points around The Hawthorns.
