‘That is the problem’ – Bilic details where West Brom youngster needs to improve
Slaven Bilic has explained where Rakeem Harper needs to improve if he is to break into the West Brom first team.
The 20-year-old midfielder has made three first-team appearances this season but only one has come in the Premier League.
Bilic claims that he ‘likes’ Harper but says he needs to be more consistent if he wants to become a first-team regular at The Hawthorns.
Bilic is quoted by Birmingham Live as saying, “I counted a lot on Rekeem before the season, in pre-season. Firstly because of the budget, but also because of the quality.
“We didn’t have that many numbers in midfield. Also, I like him as a player, I like what he can become as a player.
“I can see that, but I don’t see it every day. I see it in periods. Everything is about consistency, are we talking about a game, a season, a career, or life. That is the problem for him since I came here, but he is also very very young.”
Harper played 90 minutes in both of West Brom’s Carabao Cup games this season and opened the scoring in the 3-0 win over Harrogate Town.
His sole Premier League appearance came in the second half of Albion’s 3-0 loss to Leicester on the opening day of the season but he has been on the bench multiple times since.
Harper featured for the West Brom under 23 side in their match against Sunderland in the PL2 on Monday which could hint at a return to first-team action soon with the 20-year-old getting vital minutes under his belt.
Conor Gallagher has been impressing in the centre of midfield this season but he will return to Chelsea in the summer which will leave a void that Harper could aim to fill.
As a young player, he needs to bide his time and wait for a chance that should be heading his way soon.
Perhaps Harper will get a run out against League One side Blackpool when the sides meet in the third round of the FA Cup in January.
In other West Brom news, many Baggies fans are saying the same thing following an official announcement from the club.
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