TalkSPORT pundit predicts West Brom regret over Karlan Grant exit as Cardiff City strike loan deal
Carlton Palmer believes West Brom could live to “rue” their decision to let Karlan Grant go.
Grant has joined fellow Championship side Cardiff City on a season-long loan off the back of a disappointing campaign with the Baggies.
The 25-year-old forward scored just three times in 31 appearances in all competitions last season.
However, Palmer believes letting him go was a mistake.
“We know the situation at WBA, financially, and they’ve said that players will have to go to balance the books, but this could be a decision they rue,” Palmer told Football League World (19 July).
“Although last season Karlan only scored three goals, his previous season he scored 18 goals and he scored 19 previously in the Championship at Huddersfield.
“He’s versatile as well because he can play as a centre forward up top, wide on the right or in the hole behind the main striker.”
Way off
It is extremely difficult to agree with Palmer on his view of this situation. Football is played in the present, not the past, and at present Grant is an underperforming striker.
Three goals in 31 appearances is a horrendous record for a player who is meant to be leading the line in a side pushing for promotion and the club are lucky they were able to find a solution to get the player off their books after last year.
Although he has played well in the past, the club must instead be looking forward and making decisions which will give them the best opportunity to fight for a return to the Premier League next year.
For Grant, the loan move could also be beneficial as he will now have the hunger to show his parent club what he can do as he looks to get back to his best.
Overall this is the best move for all involved.
In other West Brom news, the club are in advanced talks to bring in a player of their own on loan.