Carlos Corberan explains why he signed Devante Cole at West Brom
Carlos Corberan has admitted he did not sign Devante Cole to be the main striker at West Brom.
The Albion head coach signed the 29-year-old after his release at Barnsley, but he has played just 15 minutes of Championship action so far this season.
Cole’s only start came in a Carabao Cup first-round defeat by Fleetwood Town, and he has been named in the matchday squad in just one of the last eight matches.
Speaking to the Express & Star [15 October], Corberan explained: “It’s true we didn’t sign [Cole] with the expectation to be the first XI number nine. We signed him with the possibility to be a good option as a number nine.
“I like the possibility to bring him, and possibly not another younger player because he has enough maturity to understand that sometimes if the number nine is competing well, then he is probably not going to have the minutes he would like.
“With enough maturity, it is about not giving up in this challenge he has and about working hard when the opportunity comes to you.”
Josh Maja keeps Devante Cole out of West Brom squad
A big advantage for West Brom this season is that Corberan knows his best team, while other head coaches are scrambling around making several changes each week.
What comes with that are limited opportunities for squad players, especially with the Baggies having fallen at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup not starting for Championship clubs until after Christmas.
Josh Maja has spearheaded the Albion attack and has been superb – there is no budging him from the side. Cole has kept his game time ticking over with occasional Under-21 appearances.
Corberan’s reasoning is transparent and open, which means he will have had an honest conversation with Cole when he signed him, essentially informing him he would be a fringe player in the squad.
The head coach appears to value the striker’s experience in realising his role, for which Cole can be credited for his patience and professionalism as any lack of game time is going to be frustrating, especially at a club blessed with excellent creative players.
In other West Brom news, a debate on whether the club’s Irish stars should have started v Greece.
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