Carlos Corberan opens up West Brom winger Karlan Grant after Swansea transfer collapse
Carlos Corberan has admitted he is “happy” Karlan Grant remained at West Brom during the January transfer window and is excited to work with the winger for the rest of the season, according to Express and Star.
The 25-year-old was on the verge of completing a deadline-day move to Swansea City before it fell through at the last moment, and the attacker was resigned to the Hawthorns for the time being. [Wales Online, 31 January]
The Baggies’ failed pursuit of Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson on loan played a big part in Grant’s transfer collapse, as the club refused to let players leave without bringing in their replacements first. [Darren Witcoop, 30 January]
Grant has struggled for game time under Corberan this term; however, the Spaniard was full of praise for the attacker and the role he can play for West Brom in the coming months.
“In the last day of the market, these sort of things happen,” Corberan told Express and Star (Friday 3 February).
“That’s why people say that a player isn’t a player until it’s done. This situation has happened to many clubs and many teams. I can give you the right answer – I am totally focused on working with all the players that I have.
“I was happy to have Grant here, and I let him know exactly this. In some moments, you can find short solutions, but in my opinion, it’s important to keep Grant in this team, it’s for the best.
“The fact that I have Grant here makes me pleased with the squad that I have. I promise that I am not going to miss anything, but I am focused and determined to work with the players that I have.”
Out of form
Although Grant has proven himself to be a prolific Championship striker when at his very best, he has underperformed in a West Brom shirt this season.
Last term, the winger was in lightning form as he racked up 18 goals and six assists in 44 appearances, but he has reached nowhere near this level this term. This could possibly be because he hasn’t been awarded a consistent run of games under Corberan since he arrived in the West Midlands and because of the brilliant form of Jed Wallace and Matt Phillips.
However, with Phillips now likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season and the Baggies failing in their pursuit of Hutchinson, a run of games could be around the corner for the undoubtedly talented attacker.
He is unlucky to be given a starting berth at the tip of the Baggies’ attack due to the form of Daryl Dike and Brandon Thomas-Asante, so he will have to take any opportunities handed to him on the wing.
In other West Brom news, a big money blow derailed another January deal that looked like getting done.