Slaven Bilic has opened up on Grady Diangana and the reasons he took him to West Brom.
The Hammers youngster – currently on a six year deal with the Irons – will most certainly not be joining West Brom at the end of the season as many Baggies fans hope.
There has been much speculation on the winger’s future after January with the well known release clause involved in his loan deal which could see him back at the London Stadium should Manuel Pellegrini decide that’s the way to go.
There have also been half daft suggestions that Nathan Holland would be offered in a compromise deal should Pellegrini decide he wants him back but Slav’s reasons stated here – from Birmingham Live – make that stuff the hogwash it was when first written.
The reality is that he will either stay where he is or return home….but Holland in exchange. NO
Slaven explained: “He (Diangana) played 17 Premier League games with Anderson, Antonio, Snodgrass and Yarmolenko, it was a no brainer for us.”
Holland meanwhile has yet to play a single PL game!
Here’s what Super Slav has to say:
“Obviously I know Grady but not in the amount that some people think. He trained with us when I was at West Ham but he was very young and I think even with David Moyes he didn’t play.
“He emerged last season with Pellegrini. When somebody plays 17 games in the Premier League and they had Anderson, Antonio, Snodgrass and Yarmolenko, who got injured, that helped him, they are top quality players.
“He got minutes there and started. I tried a few times, in the beginning of the summer, but Manuel wasn’t ready. They got Fornals in and Yarmolenko came back from injury, so they had options. It was a no brainer for us.
“He needed a move. We spoke on the phone and it’s a perfect match. He was one of the wingers we wanted, a quick player who is dangerous for a goal.
“He’s got goals in him and he’s a young lad who wants to prove himself.”
The boy’s had a great season helping Albion to sail along at the top of the Championship and whenever he returns he will come back a vastly improved performer.
Great loan move for Diagana as he was not consistent last year, needed a full season to boost his confidence and give him the much needed experience to step back up to the premier league. Unfortunately the tactically inept Pellegrini may need him back sooner rather than later to play in our struggling unbalanced first team.