Carlos Corberan: Star deal shows West Brom moving in right direction
Albion boss Carlos Corberan insists Mikey Johnston’s return on a permanent deal demonstrates the “positive” direction the club are heading in.
Winger Johnston rejoined from Celtic for a reported £3million on a four-year deal last month, after enjoying a stellar loan stint at the Hawthorns during the second half of last season.
He scored seven times and set-up one more in 20 appearances to help propel the Baggies into the Championship play-offs.
Corberan noted that the fee recouped from Brandon Thomas-Asante’s switch to Championship rivals Coventry City ultimately funded Johnston’s return, but he was pleased to be supported by the board in his quest to bring the Republic of Ireland international back to the club.
The Spaniard said: “It looks like Johnston is something to make me happy, no? Or directly for me. Johnston is not for Carlos Corberan, he is for the attacking needs we have as a team. We sold – I don’t know if for the same money or close to it – Thomas-Asante, and it was important to replace the attacking option.
“Normally you replace one striker for another, but when the option appeared we understood as a club it was a very positive option.
“Not only in the short-term, which it is, but more for me in the project the club is doing.
“Of course I am one person managing the project right now, but I think it’s a very positive moment for the club.
“He is one player whose 25-years-old and has impacted the Championship. We have paid the fees because we received fees for players we had to replace.”
Albion saw no fewer than 14 players head for the exit door in the summer and have replaced them with a further 11 new arrivals.
Corberan admitted operating under transfer restrictions imposed by the EFL has been challenging but is confident that gaps in the squad have and will continue to be plugged.
“We had a very big challenge in front of us in the market. We had many exits. We were talking about the players in the semi-final. 13 players involved are not at the club or now 12 (with Johnston),” he continued.
“It shows how challenging the market has been for us. A market with a lot of financial restrictions which means we had to use the market in different situations.
“We have 20 pitch players, you always want two in each position. It has been challenging for us but in the end we will complete the gaps.
“The level of players will tell you the level of the team you will have. We have new players that still need to adapt, some new players have shown adaptation.”
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