PFA present Samuel Iling-Junior with ‘special’ award at West Brom training ground
Samuel Iling-Junior has just had his achievements recognised in unusual fashion at the West Brom training ground.
The Aston Villa loanee is spending the season on loan in the Championship with the Baggies, where both he and his team have had a frustrating start to the campaign.
Football Insider revealed at the start of November that West Brom have no plans to sack manager Ryan Mason at this stage of the season, despite the team slipping to 17th in the table.
Iling-Junior has been limited to largely substitute appearances by the boss throughout November, but he has just received a surprise award for his efforts on Friday.
Samuel Iling-Junior rewarded for achievement away from West Brom
West Brom were one of many Championship clubs who chased Iling-Junior in the summer, and they ultimately won the race to bring the winger in on loan.
The Baggies’ close proximity to Villa Park provides his parent club with the ideal chance to keep tabs on their youngster and ensure that he is developing as expected during his loan spell.
The 22-year-old has managed just one goal for Albion so far in 2025-26, which was a stunning solo effort in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the end of September.
However, he has now been recognised by the PFA for his exploits in the summer, when he was part of the England squad that secured Euro U21 glory.
The West Brom loanee was presented with a “special recognition” award for his contributions to the triumph at the training ground on Friday, according to the PFA via their X account.
Iling-Junior featured in three games during the tournament for Lee Carsley’s team, and came on from the bench in extra-time of their 3-2 victory over Germany in the final.
Iling-Junior needs more productivity to have a chance at Aston Villa
Aston Villa fans have called for Iling-Junior to be recalled already this season, but the reality is that the wideman needs to add more end product to his game in order to earn a chance in the Premier League.
The youngster joined as part of the double transfer with Juventus alongside Enzo Barrenechea back in 2024, but has yet to make a competitive appearance in the claret and blue.
If that is to change moving forward, then goals and assists simply have to become a more regular element of his game.
He has managed just three Championship goal involvements across 28 games during his loan spells with West Brom and Middlesbrough in 2025.
That return is simply not the kind of numbers that will force Unai Emery into bringing him back into the first-team fold and giving him a chance in the top flight.