Carlos Corberan must bring Karlan Grant back to West Brom in January after AFCON update
While for most clubs, January offers a chance to strengthen their playing ranks in the transfer window, the new year could see West Brom lose some of their most important players.
While other clubs may be interested in signing some of the Baggies top talents, the more immediate threat to Carlos Corberan is the African Cup of Nations which may see both Grady Diangana and Brandon Thomas-Asante unavailable for up to a month.
Thomas-Asante appears set to be included in Ghana’s squad for the tournament in January while Birmingham World reported on Wednesday [27 December] that Diangana has been included in the DR Congo’s 24-man squad for the tournament.
That leaves Corberan with very few attacking options at The Hawthorns as the Baggies are already facing a “crisis” of sorts with Josh Maja back on the treatment table once again.
While Daryl Dike is nearing full fitness, the West Brom boss isn’t exactly spoilt for choice at the top end of the pitch.
No matter whether a takeover is or isn’t completed at The Hawthorns before the January transfer window, Albion will be unable to splurge money as a result of new rules in the EFL and therefore signing a new striker appears to almost be out of the question.
However, the answer to West Brom’s crisis may be right under their nose after Baggies loanee Karlan Grant scored for the second consecutive game in Cardiff City’s 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle on Boxing Day.
The 26-year-old was at his electric best in South Wales on Tuesday (26 December) not only popping up with a second-half goal but also proving to be a creative force from the left flank as he laid on three chances for his teammates [Fotmob].
No player on either side created more chances than the West Brom loanee in the contest and his left-footed finish was an excellent display of the quality he has in front of goal as he beat Conor Hazard in the Argyle net, despite the attempt only registering an xG of 0.03.
Grant may not have impressed last season in Corberan’s side, only scoring five goals in 35 appearances last season, but he may have rediscovered his goal-scoring touch at the perfect time for the Baggies to bring him back to the Midlands.
An early recall at the start of January would see the 26-year-old return to the fold just in time to replace either Thomas-Asante or Diangana at the start of the AFCON.
Even if he only was able to pop up with one or two goals during that month-long period, it could prove to be the difference between West Brom finishing in the top six this season or missing out on the playoffs.
In other West Brom news, David Prutton has predicted the result of the Baggies clash with Leeds United for Sky Sports