After another wave of injuries, West Brom look like they nearly have a fully-fit squad.
It’s not something that Carlos Corberan is used to, having a number of players to select from.
And whilst Matt Phillips is a new casualty, and Daryl Dike, Adam Reach, and Martin Kelly remain sidelined, the Baggies‘ squad is looking pretty plentiful right now.
The likes of Dike, Reach, and Kelly are on track to return in the New Year and Corberan has recently welcomed back the likes of John Swift and Josh Maja, with the latter scoring his first goal for the club in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Leicester City.
Josh Maja’s return welcome by Corberan
Corberan has often spoken fondly of Maja, and it’s clear to see why.
He’s a natural finisher who can also operate in a few different roles, which is helpful in a West Brom side that dons a very fluid, ever-changing attacking line under Corberan.
Although more of a natural no.9, Corberan believes that Maja can play slightly behind that no.9 position, which gives the Spaniard a different outlet to the likes of Brandon Thomas-Asante and Swift.
Speaking to Birmingham Live recently, Corberan said of Maja:
“After this week of work, if everything goes well, he should be in conditions to start in the team. With who? It can be with Asante, with Swift, these are two possibilities. Or Asante and Swift and him on the bench. Swift is a ten ten, Asante is a nine nine and Maja is a 9 and a 1/2. That’s why I like him a lot.”
‘A fluid, ever-changing attacking line’
West Brom have one of the most exciting squads in the Championship.
Corberan doesn’t have too different a set of players to what Steve Bruce had, but in little over a year, Corberan has made promotion contenders out of this side.
He gets the best out of players, though it’s West Brom’s attacking line that draws the headlines.
In the midfield and attacking department, West Brom have so much quality and depth when everyone is fit, and Corberan often changes who plays where which keeps opposition defenders and managers guessing constantly.
Maja is one of a few who can operate in a number of roles, though like Corberan says, he brings something unique in that he can operate in a sort of shadow striker role.
His return gives Corberan options in attack. Maja can play as that no.9 or even as the no.10, but somewhere in between could get the best out of the 24-year-old who may feel he has a point to prove after missing several weeks with injury.
And with Dike soon to return, Maja will be keen to stamp his authority in the side, and score some more goals.