Would West Brom benefit more from keeping the controversial Saido Berahino?

Add as preferred source on Google

West Bromwich Albion contract rebel Saido Berahino has been the subject of much speculation for several months at the Hawthorns, with the 22-year old reportedly seeing his future away from the Black Country club amidst interest from Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Watford. He has one year left to run on his contract at West Brom, and has already turned down a new four-year deal.

Club Chairman Jeremy Peace has indicated that he may be prepared to allow Berahino to see out the final year of his contract rather than push for a sale this summer, but in the wake of Albion captain Darren Fletcher’s comments that Berahino should let his football do the talking if he stays on at the Midlands club, would the Baggies be better off retaining the services of their forward for one more season, or forcing through a move this transfer window?

The England U21 international only registered seven goals last season for Tony Pulis’ side in all competitions, but when he is fit and raring to go he is a real handful for opposition defenders and a capable goal-scorer, as shown by his performance and winning goal in West Brom’s 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2013.

Embed from Getty Images

Following that win, Berahino told The Daily Telegraph that he aims to emulate strikers Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Jermain Defoe because of their impressive movement and potent finishing.

His skipper Darren Fletcher also recognises the talent his teammate has, particularly after the sharpness and fitness he has shown this pre-season. He started in the side that lost 2-1 to French champions Paris Saint-Germain in their final pre-season game of their tour of Austria. But when the big kick-off approaches, Albion will need him firing on all cylinders if he is to see out his final 12 months at the Hawthorns. In an interview with the Express and Star, Fletcher said:

“If he signs, great, and if he doesn’t he might be here for another season so we want him to get his head down and score as many goals as possible”.

“We want good players to stay here because you have to pay a lot of money to replace them and Saido is no different.

“We know Saido is a great goalscorer and you need goalscorers in this league but we need a Saido who is fit and strong and with his head wanting to play for West Bromwich Albion.

“If he signs his new contract, it shows he wants to be here and he can get back to showing people what a great player and a great goalscorer he is. If he doesn’t, we just hope he gets his head down and gives 100 per cent and helps the team”.

If Albion were to retain his services for another year or even longer, they wouldd undoubtedly have a player on their hands who is capable of becoming a top class centre-forward, who is both physically and mentally strong and has an impressive ability to create space on the pitch for his teammates.

Embed from Getty Images

Since speculation was first fuelled over his future, he has only shown flashes of his quality that have come in drips and drabs. His manager still has belief in his player, saying in a 2015 interview with BBC Sport that Berahino has all the attributes of a top class player but is in need of “direction” in order to fulfil his promising potential.

Staying on one more season at the Albion would have its benefits for the player and the club providing the unpredictable striker shows the quality of which he is capable. A source of goals is desperately needed in a side that only managed 34 Premier League goals in 2015-16 (averaging less than a goal per game), the second lowest tally in the division, four of which were scored by Berahino. Only rock bottom Aston Villa were worse off with 27.

An improvement in his form would be a much needed tonic for the Albion and remedy their goal-scoring blues, but it would also be 12 months for the player to put himself in the shop window for other clubs. After a quiet spell, such an opportunity may be just what the forward needs to attract the right club.

Embed from Getty Images

In contrast, a sale now would leave the Baggies not only without their top man but without a goal-scorer to ease their attacking woes. A fee would help their cause, but a player as prolific as the club requires, is a type of forward that is in short supply, as Darren Fletcher acknowledged in his comments.

So, although money is so often the priority given the nature of the modern game, the Albion may well be better off turning away the cash and keeping their man at the Hawthorns for one more year. His impact may yet prove vital in staying in the Premier League, or bettering their 14th place finish last season.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Tricia H. Kuhn