Nathaniel Chalobah looked set to leave West Brom in the summer, however, two months on the midfielder is thriving at the club.
The ‘magical‘ 28-year-old midfielder was set to leave to join Albion to join Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, but a move fell through with Chalobah staying at The Hawthorns.
With injury concerns to midfielders such as Okay Yokuslu and John Swift, Chalobah has been given the opportunity to play from the start, instead of as an impact sub.
Former Chelsea man Chalobah has taken his opportunity with both hands, impressing in two separate games against Plymouth Argyle and QPR.
READ: The three best games of Carlos Coberan’s one-year spell at The Hawthorns ranked
Chalobah continues to impress for Corberan
Speaking after the victory against QPR on Tuesday, boss Carlos Corberan was full of praise for the 28-year-old.
“When you are focused to work you can focus on changing the coach’s decision. Sometimes you can have your own expectation but for me he has reacted with maturity and that’s why we are watching the level of player he is.
“I agree that, for me, he kept improving for the minutes. In the last six weeks he has been training much better and against Birmingham I liked what I watched.
“The last week he made a massive contribution in the second half and then here he proved he is growing and is giving the things that we want to see from him.
“The key of the player when they are playing well is consistency and the challenge and test on Tuesday was to see him playing one more game can he give the answer I wanted to see – and I saw the answer I wanted to see.”
Massive credit to Chalobah
He may not have featured as frequently as he would’ve liked, but Chalobah has rolled his sleeves up and took his opportunity when it arrived.
Chalobah could’ve kicked up a fuss about his situation, but he’s worked hard and been a model professional – fully deserving of his current starting place.