Semi Ajayi loves playing for West Brom, grateful to be back in team
Whatever you may think about Cedric Kipre, Kyle Bartley and Matt Clarke, there is no doubting that West Brom are stronger in defence when Semi Ajayi plays.
The tall and powerful Nigerian centre-half spent time out of the Baggies side while away at the Africa Cup of Nations and didn’t come straight back into the starting XI upon his return.
He has since played every minute under new manager Steve Bruce and picked up a well-deserved clean sheet at home to Blackburn Rovers.
The 28-year-old is loving life at The Hawthorns and is very grateful to be back playing for the club.
“I love playing football and I love playing for this club,” Ajayi said, as quoted by the Express and Star.
“To have the opportunity to be back in the team and help the boys fight for points – that is what I want to be doing.
“Every player wants to play – that is natural I’ve just tried to support the team as best I can and be ready for when I did get an opportunity.”
Best of Baggies
Those who endeared themselves to the West Brom supporters most were those who put everything into being a Baggies player.
That isn’t just during the 90 minutes on a Saturday or even day in, day out in training but every waking second of the day.
They embraced being a West Brom player in every aspect of their life and that is exactly what Ajayi has done since he arrived in the Midlands in 2019 from Rotherham United.
He has since been a proper regular for the Baggies under every manager who has taken the reigns at The Hawthorns and his demeanour on and off the pitch is a large contributing factor to that.
Bruce has, understandably, wasted no time in reinstating him to the first-choice defender in his side and Ajayi has responded in the two games he has played so far.
If this continues, it isn’t out of the question to suggest Ajayi could become an icon of the club if he stays for a few more years.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have signed this “excellent” young talent from Birmingham City out of the transfer window.