Okay Yokuslu shares ‘brilliant’ West Brom transfer verdict at The Hawthorns
West Brom midfielder Okay Yokuslu believes that new signings Jeremy Sarmiento and Josh Maja will help the squad to achieve their goals this season, in a glowing endorsement of their quality.
The Turkish midfielder revealed he was very impressed with Sarmiento’s debut against Stoke City in the Carabao Cup despite the result, and thinks he can play a big part in the coming season.
He has also given high praise to Maja’s work ethic in training, as the new striker continues working towards full fitness after arriving at the Hawthorns on a free transfer and not taking part in any pre-season preparations.
Yokuslu spoke to media about the new additions of Sarmiento and Maja, as reported by BirminghamLive, as he revealed: “We have been training together the last few days. You can see that they’ll help the team. In the cup game, Sarmiento was brilliant, for me, and I think he’s going to help us.
“Maja in training has been brilliant as well. I’m looking forward to playing with him. We all want the best for the team and the club, but it is what it is. As a competitor and as a professional player you cannot have excuses, so you need to adapt to every situation you have and this is where we are.
“We have a long season ahead of us and we cannot stop and think about the excuses. We have to compete in every game. We have two new players, who will help us a lot I believe.”
Baggies need the new boys fit and ready
The quicker Sarmiento, and in particular Maja, can get up to full match fitness, the better as far as West Brom are concerned.
It has been a mixed start to the season for the Baggies, after losing their opening two games to Blackburn and Stoke, they ran out 3-2 victors over Swansea where they looked dominant, going 3-0 up before limping towards the final whistle.
There is currently quiet desperation at the club for a fit striker, with current first-choice option Brandon Thomas-Asante suffering an ankle injury, while Maja is only fit enough to play 20 minutes per game, as shared by Carlos Corberan after the win against Swansea.
West Brom have struggled in the transfer market this summer, as their well-documented need to sell first-team options looms over the club, with financial issues the story of pre-season. The focus will be on free transfers and loan additions, like Maja and Sarmiento, to make a difference.
In other West Brom news, Semi Ajayi delivered his verdict on the defensive lapses against Swansea.