James Morrison can’t repeat Souleyman Mandey error: Stats show why West Brom debut is close
Souleyman Mandey is showing his quality for West Brom’s Under-21s this season.
With the Baggies at serious risk of relegation from the Championship, James Morrison will not want to take any risks that aren’t deemed necessary.
Not only to prevent damaging his chances of landing the job permanently, but also to give West Brom the best chance of staying up.
And while handing a debut to Mandey may be deemed as a risk by many, his stats from his time in the Premier League 2 showcase why that may not be the case.
Both Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay made the mistake by not giving him the chance, and Morrison may not be able to afford to do the same.
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How has Souleyman Mandey fared for West Brom’s Under-21s?
Mandey made the move to the Midlands back in 2023, but had a hard time getting used to the English game.
Fast forward to now, and the 20-year-old is thriving.
Mandey has 10 goals and two assists in all competitions for Albion’s Under-21s this season, but his stats in the Premier League 2 are what stand out the most.
The attacking midfielder has had a hand in three goals in his last three appearances for the Baggies, having created an impressive 20 chances this season.
With 1061 minutes played in the league, it means he is averaging 1.7 chances created per 90, which places him in the top 28 per cent of players in the Premier League 2.
Mandey has also won 70 duels this campaign, which again has him among the top players in the division, showcasing his willingness to get stuck in.
When could we see Mandey?
With Mikey Johnston out injured, Albion may need to turn to their youth players sooner rather than later in search of that creative spark.
Should that happen, then Mandey is likely to be the first name picked up by Morrison, and deservedly so.
West Brom have nine games left of the season to prevent their relegation to League One, and if a debut is to happen this season for the 20-year-old, it is likely to come in those final few games, depending on their position.
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