As the transfer deadline approaches, we're going to start seeing more deals get done, and West Bromwich Albion have finished a deal to bring 23-year-old forward Callum McManaman in to their side from Wigan.
West Bromwich Albion sign Callum McManaman from Wigan
The hard-working Scotsman is back in the Premier League.
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The deal, reported to be for £4.75 million, brings a promising young attacker to the Premier League after an 18 month absence following Wigan’s relegation in 2013. After showing promise in that last season, scoring two goals in limited minutes as a rotational player, McManaman has taken good strides in his development since then, standing out as Wigan’s best player despite the side’s struggles. Wigan find themselves 23rd in the Championship, and with four losses in their last six matches, they seem destined for relegation, especially without their leading scorer.
McManaman gives West Brom and their new manager Tony Pulis a versatile forward capable of playing anywhere along the front line, as well as a player with some improvement still to come in his game. While McManaman is unlikely to ever be a true star in the EPL, players like him help form the core of good sides, willing to work their tails off to do whatever's needed to help a team win.
He also gives West Brom a very “Pulis” player, if you buy in to such stereotypes. Despite being an attacking player, McManaman works very hard in defense off the ball, and has never met a hard tackle he doesn’t like. That’s lead to several moments of controversy and tears in his career, especially when he came very near to seriously injuring Massadio Haidara with a rash, brutal challenge. While he’s gotten somewhat more controlled in the two years since then, McManaman has still picked up five yellow cards this season, and sent of once with a straight red less than a month ago.
Still, if Pulis can help him refine that aggression in to productive play, this should prove to be a very solid signing for West Brom. With their attack faltering for much of the season, adding a hard-working young attacker is a smart decision, especially one who fits the everyone-defends style that Pulis often employs. This isn’t a headline-grabbing signing by any means, but it’s a good one that will almost certainly work out well for West Brom.
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