West Brom faces a setback in their pursuit of West Ham striker Callum Marshall on loan due to an injury to Michail Antonio, as reported by Claret & Hugh on January 7. The Baggies were keen on securing the services of the 19-year-old forward during the January transfer window. Unfortunately, Antonio’s injury, expected to keep him out until February, has disrupted any potential loan move, at least temporarily.
West Brom finds themselves in a challenging situation, desperately needing attacking reinforcements. Long-term absentees like Daryl Dike and Josh Maja, the recall and subsequent loan of Jeremy Sarmiento to Ipswich Town, and the injury concerns of John Swift, Jed Wallace, and Matt Phillips highlight the team’s attacking woes. Ideally, manager Carlos Corberan would aim to add at least two attackers in the January transfer window, but the feasibility remains uncertain, given the current circumstances.
The irony lies in the fact that even a player like Marshall, who could significantly improve the team, is unavailable due to a teammate’s injury. The Baggies’ recent streak of bad luck adds to the urgency of reinforcing the squad promptly.
Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman expresses concern about West Brom’s January transfer window, particularly regarding the potential reluctance of Premier League clubs to loan their emerging talents. Goodman fears that the limited playing time for recent loanees like Jeremy Sarmiento, Pipa, and Marc Albrighton might dissuade top-flight sides from allowing their top youngsters to join West Brom. Despite praising Corberan for his work in challenging circumstances, Goodman worries that financial constraints could hinder addressing the team’s attacking needs effectively.
Goodman acknowledges the team’s tactical prowess and defensive strength, with the second-best defensive record in the league. However, he highlights the impending challenges, such as losing Sarmiento and Grady Diangana to AFCON, necessitating attention to the wide forward area. The financial constraints and the lack of significant playing time for loaned players raise doubts about West Brom’s ability to attract top Premier League youngsters.
While West Brom is reportedly eyeing potential reinforcements like Andrey Santos from Chelsea, the lack of playing opportunities for loanees in recent times poses a challenge. Despite the difficulties, Corberan’s track record at The Hawthorns suggests that the club can attract interest despite their position of financial constraint.
The impressive fifth-place standing in the Championship, despite injuries and financial limitations, indicates that West Brom could contend for a playoff spot with timely and essential reinforcements before the transfer deadline. The club’s resilience in previous uphill battles under Corberan’s leadership suggests the possibility of overcoming challenges and securing crucial new options for the squad.
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