View: Anonymous West Brom star must prove to BIlic that he is worth a starting place
The decision to sign Grady Diangana last August played a huge role in West Brom earning promotion to the Premier League last season.
A dangerous dribbler who proved able to score and create for others, the 22-year-old added the attributes that Slaven Bilic’s side needed as they just saw off Brentford for the final automatic promotion places.
In 30 Championship appearances, the former West Ham man scored eight goals and provided six assists, a tally bettered by only Hal Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin (via WhoScored).
Subsequently, the Baggies spent £18 million to bring him to the club on a permanent basis, but things have not yet worked out.
In eight Premier League appearances, Diangana has scored one goal but is yet to provide an assist, and was dropped for West Brom’s most recent fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
While he has completed 1.69 dribbles per 90, a tally only bettered by Matt Phillips and Conor Gallagher, he has lacked creativity, generating 0.08 expected goals plus assists per 90 (via FBRef). Additionally, he has completed just 0.62 key passes and 0.77 passes into the penalty area per 90 (via FBRef).
With West Brom struggling in front of goal, having scored just six times and possessing the worst attack in the league based on xG (via FBRef), they need more from a player that cost them £18 million.
On the ball his talent is evident and being part of this dysfunctional West Brom attack will not have been easy at times this season. But in the shape of Diangana, Matheus Pereira, Gallagher and Filip Krovinovic, they have bags of creativity, if Bilic can find the right balance.
Up front, Karlan Grant has not hit the ground running and Callum Robinson has not been trusted as a lone striker too often as of yet, but questions will be asked of the Croatian coach very shortly if his attackers continue to struggle.
In other West Brom news, View: Excellent v Spurs – 25y/o fast becoming most important West Brom player