[Hull Baggie]

This report says strikers/wingers reach their peak at around 25 but there is no peak age for goalkeepers, defenders or midfielders:

https://oars.uos.ac.uk/1455/1/At%20what%20age%20are%20English%20Premier%20League%20players%20at%20their%20most%20productive.pdf

This one has an age range of 25-29 for all positions:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2935360/2021/11/15/what-age-do-players-in-different-positions-peak/

These are based on Premier league players.

Not to drag off topic.

Furlong has been a really good player for us these last 2 seasons both defensively and offensively. He seems to have built a really good understanding with Tom Fellows too.

[Fritzl Palace]

He has improved massively and I would have no issue at all with him being rewarded with another deal. I remember having an argument with an erstwhile poster on this very forum who claimed that Furlong was only ever picked because of nepotism. Utter rubbish!

Who on earth was that? Why would he only be selected because his dad was Paul Furlong, who had no connection to our club in the slightest. Bizarre.

I used to be very critical of him because, simply put, he wasn't very good, but the player we watch week in week out now is entirely different to the player we had pre Corberan. One of the first names on the team sheet now

[gazberg]

Who on earth was that? Why would he only be selected because his dad was Paul Furlong, who had no connection to our club in the slightest. Bizarre.

I used to be very critical of him because, simply put, he wasn't very good, but the player we watch week in week out now is entirely different to the player we had pre Corberan. One of the first names on the team sheet now

If it's the poster i'm thinking of i think he used to say Furlong only got his break in his football because of his dad and his dads relationship with QPR etc rather than us directly.

[KN22]

Who on earth was that? Why would he only be selected because his dad was Paul Furlong, who had no connection to our club in the slightest. Bizarre.

It dated back to his QPR days and was, apparently, the only reason he was ever awarded a professional contract. Bizarre indeed.

[baggies_24]

I think Furlong has made the biggest improvement under Corberan, he’s so much better defensively & with the ball at his feet it’s like night & day to where he was 18 months ago. Credit to him & Carlos.

In saying that I wouldn’t offer him a new contract, yes he’s one of the best right backs in the league now but he’s 29 & you’d think has reached his maximum potential or is close to it. We’ve been guilty of giving last payday contracts out for too long now. I’d rather the club look to get a younger replacement in accepting there is likely to be a drop off in quality in the short term but long term we have someone with the potential of getting themselves to a standard where they can step up in the next division.

It’s a risk, there’s no guarantee’s that replacement player will work out but I have more faith in the recruitment team now Nestor is on board that they will get it right.
Harsh on Furlong as you can see for this level he’s a very good player now but we are looking for players who can make a step up to the next level.   

[NJS]

I think he's got at least a couple of years service in him and we should offer him such a contract without improving terms.
So if at the end of that we can't maximise on his sale?  We will still have had an effective RB for two years which is be worth something albeit less straightforward to assess. 
I do want a younger team but I wouldn't want to be the sort of club that looked at the sell-on price for every player we take on.   I'm not so sure that players will be rushing to join Chelsea's ranks when players suss what they're up to.

If you demonstrate loyalty, you're far more likely to get loyalty (dirty word in EFL/EPL now, I know) and squad coherence .

[SmethDan]

Darnell joined us in 2019. I suppose the litmus test for whether our new regime has learned anything about over extending contracts is whether he's around long enough for a testimonial where we can see for ourselves whether he's reached his peak aged 33 to 34.

[robnewbold]

I think a one year contract with a one year option would be fine, if that makes sense.

[timdon]

I think a one year contract with a one year option would be fine, if that makes sense.

I'd be happy too if that's what suits both parties. He's still very good at this level.

[SmethDan]

I think a one year contract with a one year option would be fine, if that makes sense.

It's likely to be his last 'big' contract. If the reports of talks over a new deal are correct I'd be very surprised if he agreed to a one and one.

[buzzingbaggie]

Darnell looks one of the fittest players we have, plays eveygame, often for 90mins and still energy left to burn by the end. Wouldn't have an issue woth a 2 + 1 or even 3 year contract.

[LiamTheBaggie]

I think a one year contract with a one year option would be fine, if that makes sense.

Any contract extension from Furlong's point of view is going to look at 3 years minimum. Not sure he would agree to anything less given it would take him to the other side of 30.

[zippyandbungle]

Any contract extension from Furlong's point of view is going to look at 3 years minimum. Not sure he would agree to anything less given it would take him to the other side of 30.

Correct
He wants 3
There may be some concession at 2+1 with triggers
But there is no way he even considers anything shorter

Not saying we should agree,but from players perspective there will be multiple others who will give him the 3

[robnewbold]

My view is the best we should offer him is a 2 + 1.

[Jeremy Roland Peace]

had those pompey fans wound up a treat majority of second half.
loved his celebrations at the end in front of them and for the third goal.

[LiamTheBaggie]

had those pompey fans wound up a treat majority of second half.
loved his celebrations at the end in front of them and for the third goal.

Yep - agreed - i did enjoy him celebrating infront of them at the end.

That diving around though was embarrassing.

[tlms-p23]

After being something of a liability earlier in his Albion career, he's now knocking out a 7 or 8 out of 10 most weeks - and has been for a year or so. Credit to him and Carlos for the turnaround.

Would put Bartley and Mowatt (and maybe even Grant if he keeps it up...?) in the same category. Having good players put consistent performances is the the main thing that differentiates an average player from a good one, and a mid-table side from a promotion chasing one.

The boys above have elevated their game from streaky to consistent, when they were previously the kind of players who put in an 8 out of 10 once a month like Callum Robinson or Gardner-Hickman.

[gazberg]

had those pompey fans wound up a treat majority of second half.
loved his celebrations at the end in front of them and for the third goal.

I was by the corner flag on our attacking right side 2nd half. His waving at their fans and their reaction was hilarious 

[MarkW]

WBA official twitter hinting that he might have signed a new deal

[SmethDan]

WBA official twitter hinting that he might have signed a new deal

One year plus another dependent on appearances.

[zac]

I have been critical at times over the past few years and felt it was a position we should target to upgrade but no complaints at all from this year. As others have said he has been a consistent performer this year, maybe having a bit of competition has improved him.

[Pelsall_Baggie]

One year plus another dependent on appearances.

Accordingly to WBA Official it's a 2+1...

[OldburyWBA]

https://www.wba.co.uk/news/darnell-furlong-signs-contract-extension

Albion full-back Darnell Furlong has committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension which runs until the summer of 2027.

The deal will automatically extend for a further 12 months, until 2028, should Furlong trigger an appearance-related clause in the contract.

The 28-year-old, who arrived at The Hawthorns in July 2019, has to date made 210 appearances for the Baggies, scoring 10 goals.

Furlong has featured in every Sky Bet Championship fixture – a run of 88 games – since Carlos Corberán was appointed Head Coach in October 2022.

Darnell said: “I'm delighted to be extending my stay at the Albion. I've been here for a while now and it's a place where I feel I can continue to thrive and grow as a player.

“I believe the club is moving forward and it's an exciting time to be here, with a talented squad and a manager we all trust and admire.

“I've been happy with my performances recently but I'm still so determined to get better and better and I'm confident I can do that here.”

Bilkul Football Group CEO and Sporting Director, Andrew Nestor, added: “We are really pleased that Darnell has agreed to commit his future to the club.

"This signing continues the squad planning strategy we put in motion last spring. Darnell is a player we value and everyone across the organisation has been keen to ensure he continues here.

“Darnell has been a consistent, high performer under Carlos and his attributes complement the playing style we continue to develop.”

[gazberg]

Great news if he can maintain current form

[beechyboy90]

Think largely he was decent last year and this year we competition for his spot he has upped his levels. Good to see us move early on this one.

Presume the others out of contract summer we may field offers for January