Pre-Season Hopes, Premier League Ambitions & Key Threats: An Expert Opinion On The Baggies
- Express & Star journalist Joseph Masi provides an assessment of West Bromwich Albion
- The Baggies host Leicester City on Sunday in both sides’ 2020/21 Premier League opener
- Masi believes Premier League survival would represent a successful campaign for Albion
- Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana are two players City must pay close attention to, Masi says
Slaven Bilić’s men are back in the top-flight after two seasons away after finishing as runners-up in the Sky Bet Championship last term – and Leicester City are first up on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
That clash at the Hawthorns will see Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes – who finished fifth in 2019/20 – commence their new season against a vibrant West Brom side keen to make an impression.
Boosted by several new recruits, most of whom dazzled Albion supporters on loan in the Black Country last term, Bilić’s side are still riding the optimism created by promotion, says Masi.
“It's been very positive,” he told LCFC TV’s new-look Matchday Live show, which starts at 12:30pm on LCFC.com, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube on Sunday afternoon.
“It's seven weeks now since Albion won promotion, it's next to no time, really. They're still very much on that crest of a wave, of course.
“After winning promotion, there's that adulation, that joy. It was so tense at the end and they got over the line and then, very quickly, attention shifted to the Premier League.
“The players are back in training, of course, there's been some good additions and there are still some deals being worked on. There's a really positive mood around the place, a lot of relief too if I'm honest.
“It was absolutely crucial they got out of the Championship two months ago. I don't think you want to be stuck in the Championship at this moment in time with everything that's gone on.
“It's now relief, joy and excitement. They're back in the Premier League, it's Leicester in the first game, a home game Sunday, and I think everyone's looking forward to and they can't wait to test themselves back at that level.”
Trying to predict West Brom’s 2020/21 aspirations is not easy, according to Masi, but while Premier League survival is the ultimate goal, he believes Bilić will be hopeful of more.
“Most managers and clubs aim higher, don't they?” he added. “But, being honest, I would take fourth-bottom now.
“That's just based on everything that's happened over the last six months or so, since March really. You look at the money Albion have spent.
“The transfer fees have changed, haven't they? We don't really know how much players are worth anymore. We don't know how much clubs can spend, really, on transfers, but they can't spend the £140M Villa reportedly spent this time last year.
“It doesn't look like they can spend the £60M/70M that Sheffield United apparently spent. Business isn't done, but it's looking around £25M/30M maybe spent in this window.
“It's not a great amount of money, really, but they're a very good side. They were very, very good in the Championship last season and they'll be better in the Premier League because of the additions they've made.
“Slaven Bilić has bought into what is very much a long-term project at Albion. It's all about gradual improvements, slow-and-steady progress.
“They've got up a year ahead of schedule, but right now, if you could guarantee Premier League football for next season, I think they'd definitely take it and just look very much for that constant progression.”
Masi also pointed to the key threats for the Foxes to be alert to on Sunday – selecting Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana, both now on full-time deals, as potential stars this term.
“The team, as we speak now, hasn't changed too much from last season,” he explained. “Crucially, for Albion, they've re-signed the loan players that did so well last year.
“Matheus Pereira is the star of the show. He's a Brazilian attacking midfielder, his favourite position is a no.10, but he can also play wide on the right as well.
“He got 20 assists last season. It depends on how you look at it, if you count penalties won, he got 20 assists last season, which is an absolutely staggering number of assists, really.
“It's Kevin De Bruyne territory in Premier League terms. It would be very difficult to replicate it, but he really is a phenomenal footballer, a huge talent, so he's Albion's talisman.
“He's the man they played through, but almost equally as dangerous is Grady Diangana, who can play on the right or left wing. He was absolutely fantastic last season.
“He's got a bit of everything you want from a winger. He can go past this man, he can cut inside, he hits the byline, he scores goal and we've seen the reaction at West Ham.
“He can't wait to show what he can do in the Premier League.”
While Masi believes West Brom would benefit from securing the services of a new striker this summer, he has no doubt that Pereira and Diangana possess the firepower to alarm Leicester.
“As it stands, Albion are working to sign a new striker,” he continued. “They need a new striker to lead the line, really, they haven't got that deal done yet.
“Will they have it in time for Sunday? I don't know.
“I think it's unlikely, but in Diangana and Pereira, they've got two outstanding talents and two players who could shine in the Premier League next season.”
The Foxes faithful can catch Masi’s interview in full – plus so much more, including live match coverage – on Matchday Live on LCFC TV and LCFC Radio, for free, from 12:30pm on Sunday.
All times BST.