Adrian Goldberg ‘baffled’ by West Brom development in January transfer window
Adrian Goldberg is “baffled” by the decision made by Brighton and Hove Albion to recall Jeremy Sarmiento from West Brom and loan him to Ipswich Town.
Sarmiento played 20 times for West Brom in the Championship upon joining on what was supposed to be a season-long loan from Brighton last July.
However, it was announced on 1 January that he had returned to the Amex Stadium, before being swiftly sent to fellow second-tier side Ipswich.
Speaking on The Liquidator Podcast [8 January, 14m 20s], former BBC broadcaster Goldberg said: “I feel a little bit cheated by that.
“I mean, he’s a Brighton player and it’s up to them what they do with him, but he came to Albion having not been good enough to get into their team.
“Sarmiento is clearly a very talented footballer, but he picked up an injury early on in his time with us and we had to nurse him back.
“We’ve started Sarmiento is some games and when he’s started he’s not justified his place.
“I’m an admirer of his and was looking forward to seeing him improve, but I’m slightly baffled by him going to Ipswich. Is he really going to get more game time at Ipswich than he would Albion?”
Inconsistent
Sarmiento took time to get going at The Hawthorns but he had become an important part of Carlos Corberan’s plans and his loss is a blow, no matter how you try to spin it.
A replacement or two will hopefully be brought in this month, and it may well be that one of those proves to be an upgrade on Sarmiento, who lacked consistency.
Perhaps the fact he played a combined seven minutes in Albion’s final two games of the year, against Norwich City and Leeds United, played a part in Brighton’s decision.
Sarmiento scored just two goals in 20 league outings for the Baggies, but they were both memorable, especially the winning strike away at Cardiff City.
Ipswich are looking good value to finish in the top two and Sarmiento provides them with an additional option in attack.
If the Ecuadorian is going to become a regular starter at Portman Road, however, then he needs to improve on what he showed with West Brom.
Albion are due to travel to Ipswich on 10 February, so you can already mark down the matchwinner that day!
In other West Brom news, Tony Brown shared an “unbelievable” verdict after something he saw against Aldershot Town.