Albion’s World Cup star Gonzalo Jara backed

Saturday 19th June 2010, 11:29AM BST.

Gonzalo Jara
Gonzalo Jara

World Cup star Gonzalo Jara’s versatility can make him a “huge” hit for Albion in the Premier League, Jerome Thomas insisted today.

The Chile ace, currently on international duty in South Africa, made an immediate impact in his first season at The Hawthorns, helping steer the Baggies straight back to the top flight.

Thomas has been impressed with his ability to play in a variety of positions and is confident he can make a similar impact against England’s elite next season.

“He could be a huge player,” said Thomas.

“He’s such an asset because he can play anywhere. I think next season we’ll see him at right-back, as a defensive midfielder either on his own or as a two, and he can even play in centre-back for us, which he did for Chile before we signed him.

“The fact he can play anywhere is obviously an asset for the team and the squad.”

Jara came on as a substitute in the South Americans’ successful opener against Honduras and is likely to feature again in Monday’s match with Switzerland.

And Thomas is delighted to see him back in action after missing the end of last season with a broken metatarsal.

“I saw Gonzo come off the bench,” he added. “He looked good and it was hard for him because he’s had an injury that ended his season with us. It’s good to see him back out there and involved in the World Cup.

“Hopefully as the games go on he’ll be more and more involved.”

The flying winger revealed he has been keeping a close eye on the progress of Albion’s other two stars out in South Africa, New Zealand’s Chris Wood and Slovakia’s Marek Cech.

“I saw Woodsy come on the other day and obviously Marek was in the same game,” he added.

“I’m happy for them because it’s exciting times, especially for Woodsy being so young. We are all proud of him.

“I was preparing and thinking about youth cups as an 18-year-old, not World Cups, so it’s exciting for him.”

And he has also been in touch with two of England’s World Cup squad, adding: “I’ve spoken to Glen Johnson and David James since they have been away on the internet and I wished them all the best.”

By Brendan McLoughlin


  1. 1
    awfulthorns

    JARA -WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO????????????????????

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    JACK the HAT.

    Couldn’t agree more, mid field well stocked, defence looking stronger. All we need now is extra
    fire power and another keeper to keep Scot company.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    JACK the HAT.

    (1)
    You’ll know soon enough.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Happy_baggie

    What a pity we will have to rely on international defenders such as Jara, Cech, Ollson and Ibanez next season when we could have got some in from the relegation jumble sale….. oh well, fingers crossed.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    1.
    Obviously not a World star like Moyokolo, Jelly or Fletcher but he’ll do for us.
    Prat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    jordao 1-0

    1) wait and see fool! during the very rare occasions that the mad mick (who exactly is this revon playing for argentina mick?)allows your lads to come from behind the circled wagons in front of your own goal area, you’ll spot Jara, he’s the one spraying 40 and 50yd passes straight to feet. but then you only see talent from relegated sides don’t you. the dingle scouts obviously think Colo Colo is a fizzy drink. but what do we know, burnley may have competed in the copa libertadores, or had a player who helped his country finish ahead of argentina and uruguay in qualifying for the world cup. exactly my dirty yellow friend…. Jara who?

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Cyril Randle

    No.1 Your spelling! Tut tut. You mean:
    All Full Hawthorns. Jara is one of those players our superior scouting system unearthed from another country far, far away across the very deep water called an ocean. No, not Ireland. There are other countries across the deep, deep water.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    Derek - South Africa

    What are we going to do about strikers? My suggestion would be the two Mexicans. We can get Guillermo Franco on a free and I’m sure we could loan Giovani dos Santos from Spurs for the season. I’ve been impressed with both of them at the World Cup, especially against France.
    Good luck to Marek Cech and Chris Wood for tomorrow and to Gonzalo Jara for Monday!

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Nedball

    1 – That has to be the worst pun, and worst comment I have ever seen on this site. You must try harder young man if you want to inherit Shadrag’s crown!

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    That fabiano 1st goal reminded me of the one Kamara scored at the moll in the play offs.or was it the FA cup,oh wait a minute could have been in the league,aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    it was great to hear the brazil fans sing boing boing when they scored,they might as well play in blue n white stripes,aye boing boing

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    JACK the HAT.

    Bully Fan( From previous string),
    I do know what you mean, but if you’re changing
    your post then forget I called you MATE.
    By the way I never said a bogie team couldn’t be beaten, you know like my team( ALBION)are wolves
    BOGIE team. Well one of many anyway.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    astleistheking

    It’s nie to see Chris Wood getting stuck in yesterday against the world champions. He looked in his element and hopefully will come to fruit quicker than we think with the Royal Blue and white.

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Wbaforever

    astleistheking

    I agree about CW, it was great to see him outmuscle and out think Cannavaro, one of the worlds top defenders, but i dont know how to break this to you mate……..err, we play in navy blue & white.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    Cyril Randle

    “Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery”
    Boing,Boing, Baggies…..Boing, Boing, Brazil!
    They’ve admired our football, now they’ve copied our Tribal Chant.

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    astleistheking

    Yes thank you Wbaforever I am well aware of that but my inlaws who are all dingles are constantly giving me stick about being a baggie so I talk about prestige, royalty and class to which they (The dogheads) don’t have.

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Wbaforever

    astle

    Get ya, nice one.
    What i`m finding difficult to comprehend however, is being given stick for being a Baggie……….from Wolves fans ?………sorry mate, just dont get it.

    Report abuse

  18. 18
    astleistheking

    I know and to make it worse I’m getting married in Wolverhampton in September but I’ve organised blue and white confetti and the first hymnn will be “The lords my shepherd” haha can’t wait!

    Report abuse

  19. 19
    JACK the HAT.

    Astleistheking,
    When the vicar asks you the BIG question just say
    BOING~~~~BOING, He’ll know what you mean.
    All the best on the big one.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse



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