Callum Styles ready to step up amid West Brom injury issues, Corberan loves him
Carlos Corberan needs to be able to rely on Callum Styles if West Brom are to come through their many injury problems unscathed.
Speaking after the Baggies’ 0-0 draw with Cardiff on 26 October, Corberan singled out Styles as a player who needs to seize the moment after injuries to Kyle Bartley, Paddy McNair and Semi Ajayi.
McNair was forced off inside the opening seconds against Cardiff, and with Ajayi picking up a knock of his own late in the match and Bartley still weeks away from returning, Albion’s depth is being tested.
In quotes reported by Express and Star (30 October), Corberan said: “With any of the defenders we have I am happy – I knew the level of Styles.
“Styles was preparing for this moment and the moment has come now and he needs to compete.
“I love him as a player and there are things he can help us with a lot, especially in attack and we need to keep working with him to attack better and not defend worse.”
Callum Styles can make himself undroppable at West Brom
Styles is arguably the most versatile player in Corberan’s entire squad, and while the Hungarian international is no centre-back, he can stake his claim at left-back in the coming weeks.
Torbjorn Heggem’s early-season form in that position earned Styles’ fellow new signing a maiden call-up to Norway’s national team, but Bartley, McNair and Ajax’s absences will see him move to centre-back.
Another new signing, Gianluca Frabotta, will be Styles’ primary competition for the left-back berth going forwards, with Heggem and Everton loanee Mason Holgate likely to fill the void in central defence.
Fears that McNair – only on loan at The Hawthorns until January – may never feature for the club again could see Heggem make a permanent switch into the middle, as Corberan addresses his side’s depth.
Albion’s floundering frontline could be helped massively by an additional attacking presence coming forward from left-back, and Styles must do all he can to ensure he’s the player who provides that.
In other West Brom news, Corberan could make three changes to his side when the Baggies face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.