Callum Styles Steps Up as Leader at West Bromwich Albion

Callum Styles is still only 26, but at West Bromwich Albion this season, he suddenly feels like one of the grown-ups.

A summer of change at The Hawthorns has stripped away a chunk of the club’s experience. Three players over 30 have gone, joined out of the door by Karlan Grant and Kristian Bielik, both 28, and 27-year-old Josh Maja. In their place? Youth. Seven new signings, all aged 23 or under, all trying to find their feet in the Championship.

In that kind of dressing room, 26 looks a lot older.

"I think that's natural [to step into leadership] when you've played a lot of games in the Championship and you're getting older season by season," Styles told BBC Radio WM, reflecting on how his role has shifted.

The left-back knows this league. He understands its grind, its physical edge, the way it punishes anyone who switches off. That experience has pushed him and a core group from last season into a new responsibility: guiding the fresh faces who have walked into a demanding environment.

"Quite a few of us that were here last year feel like it's our role to then get the new lads adjusted to the league, to the team and to the physicality as quickly as possible," he said.

That adjustment goes beyond a few words in the tunnel or a shout in training. Styles talked about setting the tone with their own standards first, then backing that up by being present away from the pitch.

"We've got to show that through us working hard ourselves and then obviously helping them off the pitch."

West Brom’s strategy is clear: lower the age profile, inject energy, build a group that can grow together. For that to work, players like Styles have to bridge the gap between raw potential and Championship reality.

He sounds ready to carry that weight.