Valerien Ismael issues challenge to Grady Diangana to get into West Brom team
Valerien Ismael has set Grady Diangana the challenge of getting back into the West Brom team after labelling him ‘one of the best players in the league’.
The winger has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the Baggies team this season, with just one goal and one assist in 23 appearances this season in all competitions.
But with West Brom scoring just 31 goals in 26 games so far this season, there have been calls for him to get an extended run in the side.
Manager Ismael was speaking to BirminghamLive during his pre-match press conference when he set the 23-year-old a challenge to get back in the side.
“Grady in normal form, I think he is one of the best players in the league and in our squad for sure,” he said. “We have all seen the skills and the quality he can bring.
“At some point it’s all about the result, whether that’s performances, assists, or goals. That is what earns you your money and at some point I have to make a decision on what is best for the squad.
“The player needs to give me difficult decision for who is going to be the regular starter. If he makes it difficult for me to pick the player then we are on the right way.
“If it’s easy for me to pick the starting XI then something is wrong with the players, but we believe in Grady. We will try everything to bring him back on the right path, like we did with KG [Grant], but at some point he needs to show up and take responsibility.
“I know he is unhappy with his own performances. He is trying everything to be back, we just have to move on and try and show for the next game. It’s another chance to start again.”
Chance
Diangana’s signing from West Ham a few years ago was seen as a big deal for the club, with such an ‘exciting‘ talent being brought in.
But he’s really struggled to make any sort of positive impact and has found himself as a substitute more often than not.
When he starts he doesn’t perform well, but being in-and-out of the team won’t help his rhythm. A final extended run in the team is needed now, where a final decision can be made on whether he’s worth proceeding with.
With a proper number nine in the squad now in Daryl Dike, Diangana can strike up a partnership with the American and look to save his future at the club while also pushing the Baggies up to the Premier League.
If he can’t do that though, then the club may be in better suited to letting him go elsewhere and bringing someone in who can deliver on a regular basis whether it be in the Championship or Premier League.
In other West Brom news, View: Three changes, one full debut – West Brom predicted XI vs Peterborough