‘I’m sure he can do a job’ – Alan Hutton gives thumbs up to reported West Brom pursuit of 31y/o
He almost broke Shane Long’s leg, kung-fu kicked Saido Berahino and has been one of the top antagonists for West Brom fans in recent years. But ex-Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton has still given the thumbs up to Albion’s reported pursuit of Martin Olsson.
Olsson, 31, has been a free agent since the end of last season and has not played a competitive match in over a year due to injury. However the Sweden international has emerged on the radar of West Brom this month as they aim to bolster their left-back options in the current transfer window.
Express & Star journalist Joseph Masi has reported this week that Olsson is set to have a trial at West Brom before potentially earning himself a short-term deal at The Hawthorns.
The former Norwich and Blackburn left-back is unlikely to be anywhere near full match fitness and Albion, understandably, want to see where he is at before tabling a deal.
West Brom are going to be doing a lot of checks on Olsson over the next week or so but former Aston Villa and Scotland defender Hutton has offered a reason for Baggies fans to be excited by the Swede’s possible arrival.
“Yeah, I think so,” Hutton told Football Insider when asked if Olsson would be a good signing. “I think he’s always been a good player. He’s very athletic, quick, good going forward and he can defend.
“It seems like he’s been around the block a bit, been at a few clubs he’s done really well. He’s a great professional and has done well through his career so I’m sure he can do a job.”
Hutton’s verdict is fair enough. He was a full-back like Olsson who used to like getting forward but also knew how to do the “dirty” work when in defence.
However it remains to be seen whether Olsson is still the same player now as he was before his injury because a lengthy lay-off like that can have a major impact on the Swede’s overall fitness and ability.
Hutton seems hopeful that won’t be the case for Olsson but then again, this is a man who was probably booed louder than any other player that visited The Hawthorns last season.
At least we got to see Harvey Barnes turn him inside out.
In other West Brom news, a date has been revealed for when Matheus Pereira could officially become a West Brom player.