West Brom star frustrated with contract talks, Baggies teammates left unimpressed – Madeley
Matheus Pereira’s future at West Brom is uncertain with contract talks at a stalemate and teammates unimpressed with his attitude, according to The Athletic’s Steve Madeley.
After an impressive first season in English football where he contributed to 24 Championship goals (eight goals and 16 assists) to help the Baggies to automatic promotion, Pereira is struggling with the demands of the Premier League.
In 13 league games this season he has just one goal and three assists so far while he was also suspended for three matches following a red card at Crystal Palace on December 6.
Madeley, The Athletic’s West Brom reporter, has cast doubt over Pereira’s future, saying “The Pereira camp is yet to respond [to the new contract], suggesting that the terms of the offer are not deemed generous enough.”
He added: “The Athletic understands many at Albion, including some team-mates, have been less than impressed that last season’s attacking star has often seemed less engaged than they would like in a season when his creativity and ability to lift the team has been sorely needed.”
News of Pereira’s unrest will be another blow to Baggies fans who have suffered enough this season with the side languishing in 19th place, picking up just one Premier League victory against rock-bottom Sheffield United.
Is there a Premier League place for Pereira?
Pereira was suspended for Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge at the Hawthorns but on his return he was kept on bench duty for games against Liverpool and Leeds United, before he was handed a recall in the 4-0 thrashing to Arsenal on January 2.
He started again at Blackpool in the FA Cup on Saturday with Allardyce probably keen to test the endurance of a player who had only completed 90 minutes of football once since November.
With the recent signing of Robert Snodgrass from West Ham there appears to be a genuine threat to Pereira in the first-team now.
Like Pereira, Snodgrass is a player that likes to cut in on his favoured left foot and is a set-piece taker.
Unless Allardyce opts to use him centrally then Pereira will likely be in direct competition with Snodgrass for a starting XI berth which could act as a further disappointment in a season full of them for the Brazilian.
As it stands Pereira’s future at West Brom is only heading in one direction and it is not a positive one with last season’s memories fading into obscurity now.
He has a big fight on his hands to stop the rot, but if Madeley’s comments are anything to go by he might well decide it is a fight that is not worth it.
In other West Brom news, see how Baggies fans reacted to the first-team return of Kamil Grosicki.
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