Guochuan Lai has a ‘big passion’ for West Brom says Valerien Ismael
West Brom manager Valerien Ismael has praised Guochuan Lai for his commitment to the football club.
For the first time in three years, the Albion owner was at the Hawthorns for business meetings on 15 December and also met with Ismael at the club’s training ground.
Supporters and journalists alike were shocked by Lai’s visit given he has stayed away for so long and Ismael revealed he was also unaware it was happening until a couple of days ago.
Speaking to the Express & Star, Ismael said: “I think it’s a good sign and a great moment. It was a surprise, I only found out a few days earlier from our CEO.
“We spoke about a lot of different topics. The squad, the games he has seen so far, his feelings, the project, the January window, the academy players.
“They were positive discussions. He is very committed. He has a big passion for the club and is completely committed.”
In relation to the January window, Ismael revealed transfer targets were discussed.
“We have a plan in place behind the scenes,” the manager said. “He knows exactly what we want. We know exactly what we want and now it’s all about working on it.”
What?!
Ismael’s comments absolutely baffle us as Lai has been anything but committed and passionate towards West Brom over the last few years.
The Express & Star claim that the owner is planning to attend a game in the spring. That would be his first match at the Hawthorns for over three years – that is not a man who loves the football club.
Meanwhile, Lai has not invested any money into the club for the last five and a half years, leaving a series of managers with meagre transfer budgets.
Perhaps Ismael has praised the Chinese businessman just to keep him sweet, particularly ahead of the January transfer window.
There are signs that Lai could change his ways next month and finally spend some money to help Albion’s promotion push, but we aren’t holding our breath.
In other West Brom news, Albion must do everything they can to keep hold of this “fantastic” player in January.
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