Brandon Thomas-Asante excited by West Brom young guns
Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Albion fans should be excited about the string of young players looking to break into the first team – and believes they could be like new signings.
Carlos Corberan has handed chances to a handful of Baggies’ academy graduates in their pre-season games so far this summer. Caleb Taylor, Tom Fellows, Mo Faal, Jovan Malcolm, Ethan Ingram, Jamie Andrews and Harry Whitwell have all played in Albion’s outings so far, with Zac Ashworth, who played in behind closed doors friendlies, heading out on loan to Bolton.
Other younger Albion players have also played minor roles And Thomas-Asante believes fans can be excited about some of the talents who could potentially burst into the first team fold this season.
“If I was them I would be excited,” said the striker. “As a young player you hope you’re in a squad where there is potential opportunities to burst through, and the young boys have all done well.
“Caleb had an amazing loan at Cheltenham, and I’ve got friends there who spoke highly of him. I’d heard about how good he was and he is a unit.
“Tom Fellows came on and me and Grady (Diangana) were so excited watching him play, he’s quick, sharp, aggressive, an out and out winger and we love to see that.
“Mo Faal has great stature that speaks for itself, Jovan applies himself so well, Zac even though he’s gone on loan, he done well.
“I could go through them all, and the fans should know there is so much youth coming through and they could turn out to be like new signings.”
Albion yet to make a signing this year and are currently the only club in the Championship who have not brought in a new addition.
Thomas-Asante himself was a late buy last summer - from Salford City in a deal worth £300,000.
He came in and made an impact, scoring on his debut against Burnley before going on to bag nine times in his first season.
The striker admitted his impact was ‘unexpected’ and hopes some of the academy graduates can make a similar impact if handed the chance.
He added: “I was an unexpected benefit to the team last year and I hope they can be this year.
“We all know we want to get the best from ourselves, the goal is to get promoted and the young boys are aware of that and are ready for it.”
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