Marc Albrighton transfer will bring best out of West Brom striker Daryl Dike – journalist
The transfer deadline-day loan of Marc Albrighton will bring the best out of West Brom striker Daryl Dike and is a ready-made replacement for the injured Matt Phillips, according to Elias Burke.
The former Foxes winger moved to Hawthorns due to a lack of playing time under Brendan Rodgers after falling beneath the likes of Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez and Dennis Praet in the pecking order.
The 33-year-old proved his class on his Baggies debut against Coventry on Friday evening (3 February) and went off to a standing ovation when he was replaced by John Swift in the second half.
And The Athletic’s journalist Burke (Saturday 4 February) believes there are several factors that make Albrighton a smart signing for West Brom, including his ability to create chances from deeper lying positions.
He wrote: “This signing gives Corberan an effective, high-quality replacement for Matt Phillips, who is set to be sidelined until early May.
“He brings a high-energy approach, exerting as much effort defensively as he spends attacking — an attribute valued by supporters. Last season, he competed in 8.4 defensive duels per 90, the highest average of any Premier League winger.
“He was also an above-average passer (18.94 passes per 90) and crosser (3.25), while he ranked among the most infrequent dribblers (2.76 per 90), suggesting he is more likely to create from deeper crossing positions than in one vs one situations.
“This, in theory, should suit Daryl Dike, who has shown glimpses of his aerial prowess since returning from a long-term thigh injury in late November but struggled to make an impression on Friday night.”
Smart signing
After only one game, you can see exactly why Carlos Corberan and Ron Gourlay targeted Albrighton in the January transfer window.
The ex-Aston Villa academy graduate was the closest thing the Baggies would get to Matt Phillips after he suffered what will likely be a season-ending injury. And if his debut was anything to go by, they’ve snapped up a player who can still carve open opportunities with a single wave of his right boot.
Right from the off, the positions Albrighton took up against Coventry were a promising sign, and some of the crosses he played into the box were perfect for Dike to attack.
Several times the 33-year-old popped up in midfield with some crucial tackles, and he covered Darnell Furlong well at right back as well.
Overall it was an extremely promising debut for Albrighton and suggested he may play a crucial role in West Brom’s promotion chances over the remainder of the season.
In other West Brom news, Carlos Corberan opens up on the future of winger Karlan Grant after his Swansea January transfer collapsed on deadline day.