Carlos Corberan: West Brom defender Erik Pieters is training like teenager again
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan believes Erik Pieters is training like a teenager again following his recent shift to centre-back, praising the defender’s professionalism in taking up the new role.
Pieters, 34, has been drafted in as an emergency centre-back in recent weeks due to the untimely injuries of Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi but has excelled so far in the position.
The Dutch defender, who is a left-back by trade, has proven himself a dutiful member of Corberan’s team, who have now won five matches on the bounce in the Championship.
As reported by Express and Star, the Spaniard has been impressed with Pieters’ work rate in training, which has, in turn, helped him adjust to life in this new role.
He said: “He’s one player for me with excellent condition with the ball and with excellent mentality. Because he trains like he is only 18 years old, he’s 34 with a lot of experience in the Premier League.
“He’s an example of someone who is not going to be watching his past, but trying to improve every single training day.
“The mentality that he has is really, really professional. He is very self-demanding, I feel like working with a player who is 16 years old.”
Surprising
It has probably come as a surprise to Baggies fans that Pieters has shone for them since Corberan’s arrival, with many most likely thinking that his time at the Hawthorns would be short-lived.
The ex-Burnley defender was picked up by Steve Bruce as a free agent in the summer transfer window – initially allowing the Dutchman to train at the club while he was deciding on his future.
However, his rejuvenation since then has been quite remarkable, and despite flying high in the league, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side may be starting to regret letting him go.
Having already bagged a dozen appearances for the club and proving himself a viable option either at left-back or in the heart of the defence, Pieters is the perfect utility man that Corberan needs amid his injury-stricken squad.
With Ajayi and Bartley on the cusp of full fitness again, the Dutchman could now move back to his favoured left flank in the coming weeks.
In other West Brom news, the writing is surely on the wall for one West Brom player after omission from Carlos Corberan’s match-day squad.