Tony Pulis hails West Brom work ethic of £13m Nacer Chadli
Nacer Chadli is so eager to improve himself he has to be kicked off the training ground each day by Baggies boss Tony Pulis.
The record signing has been a huge hit since his £13million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, scoring three goals and setting up a further two in his first four games.
On the pitch, the versatile attacker has added a vital link between the midfield and lone striker Salomon Rondon. But the 27-year-old has also impressed Pulis with his work ethic in training.
"I think Nacer could play anywhere," said the Albion head coach. "He could play wide, in midfield or up front by himself, he's such a good player.
"He's an intelligent player with fantastic technique who has impressed everybody at the football club.
"He hasn't just impressed the supporters – it's been the players as well with his attitude.
"As a professional, he's the last off the training ground. Every day I've been here with him, you've got to kick him off the training ground."
That determination has already paid off for Chadli, and not just in his club colours.
The Belgian didn't go to Euro 2016 because he wasn't playing first-team football for Spurs and he wasn't named in Roberto Martinez's squad for the first international break of the season either.
His desire to get back into the national team squad was a big part of his decision to join the Baggies and it's worked almost immediately.
Chadli has been named in the squad for this international break, and could feature for Belgium tomorrow night in their World Cup qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina, or on Monday night away at Gibraltar.
Pulis says Chadli's hunger on the Albion training pitch is rubbing off on some of the younger members in the squad.
"He wants to do extra and do more, which is fantastic for the younger players such as Jonathan Leko and Sam Field who have been integrated into the group," said Pulis.
"For them to see a player come with that quality and be out practising all the time after the group has finished is great for the club and the team and it's really good for the young players as well."
Reports in Italy have linked Albion with free agent Martin Caceres, but it's understood the 29-year-old Uruguayan centre-back would prefer to link up with his old Juventus boss Antonio Conte at Chelsea.