View: Player dubbed ‘brilliant’ by Bilic suddenly odd one out at West Brom
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic was desperate to bring Filip Krovinovic back on loan this season and he eventually succeeded in doing so.
The talented Croatian played a big part in the Baggies’ success last season and despite his side struggling in the Premier League, he was impressing.
Prior to the 25-year-old rejoining the club over the summer, Bilic said that he was “brilliant on the pitch” and even claimed, “I will be extremely disappointed if it doesn’t happen” (via Express and Star).
However, Krovinovic has been left out of the starting line-up for West Brom’s last two games and with the performances improving, it is hard to see how he will find his way back in.
In his most recent start against Tottenham Hotspur, Krovinovic was perhaps the Baggies’ best player, completing three key passes, two dribbles and three tackles (via WhoScored). With the shift away from a three-man midfield though, the Croatian has been overlooked and a partnership has now started to develop between Romaine Sawyers and Conor Gallagher.
Unfortunately for Krovinovic, he appears to be the victim of circumstances as his removal from the team can have little to do with his performance levels. With Matheus Pereira ideally suited to the number 10 role, it has shifted the Baggies back towards a double pivot, rather than a flat three that better suits Krovinovic.
Now, the Benfica man can function as part of a double pivot, but not as the more defensive partner. With Gallagher almost certain to fill the attacking role following his recent performances, it means that there is no real role for Krovinovic.
Put simply, the needs of two of the Baggies’ most important players, Gallagher and Pereira, shift the team away from a system and style of play in which he can thrive.
Going forward, there will be days when he is needed, while Bilic is by no means wedded to one system. But with a double pivot and number 10, West Brom have looked at their best, and that system leaves Krovinovic on the bench more often than not.
In other West Brom news, why the Baggies are in the ideal position to add second win v Crystal Palace
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