'Forget about that Oussie, I've seen your shooting!' - West Brom's midfield warrior winning fans with a smile

Ousmane Diakite has been branded the “epitome” of what Albion’s squad requires as the midfielder celebrates a first call with national side Mali.

Diakite, 25, can win his maiden cap for the west African nation next week in a friendly against Russia in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday evening.

It caps a memorable few weeks for the battling ball-winner, who has forged a place in James Morrison’s resurgent Baggies line-up. In doing so it led to Albion triggering a club option for another 12 months in Diakite’s contract, which was set to expire this summer.

“He’s very popular, he mixes with everyone,” Morrison said.

“Sometimes he has that laid back (look), so I've got to keep pushing him. He's willing to learn, so he's top-notch.”

Albion’s head coach added of the contract extension: “It's fully deserved from my point of view.

“He epitomises what we want in the squad. He does his job to 100 per cent, rolls his sleeves up. If he makes a mistake, he goes again, and he's a joy to work with.

“He's bubbly in the group. He even sang a karaoke song for being late. That was his punishment!

“He's a vital part of this football club, and I'm really happy.”

Morrison smiled while explaining Diakite “crumbled” on first attempt of ‘singing’ a French song themed around Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The Albion midfielder, who has made 55 appearances in a little over 18 months at the club, is a player with clear strengths.

He is a physical, combative ball-winner more known for his energy than his eye for a pass or deft touch.

The Hawthorns faithful have been known to draw breath, however, after the odd uncomfortable yet silky spin.

Diakite has one Baggies goal, a headed consolation against Bristol City on Boxing Day, shooting is not his forte - as Morrison agrees.

“I've sat down with him a couple of times, about knowing who he is and what his strengths are and sticking to his strengths,” the head coach added.

“I think when he first came, he was an attacking midfield player. He used to remind me about that and then I was like ‘Oussie, forget about that, I've seen you shooting!’

“I said to him about the shot (that flew well over) at Bramall Lane. He laughed but I said it wasn’t funny. But he's a threat in the box from set-plays. I just tell him to simplify his game, win the ball back and give it to the forward players.”

The 2024 free transfer has seldom been a regular for Albion but always remained popular for his attitude and personality.

At the moment he is keeping experienced vice-skipper Alex Mowatt out of Morrison’s resurgent side.

“He's two different people,” Morrison added of Diakite’s on and off-field persona.

“When he's on the pitch, he's that player that I want him to be.

“He uses his size in his position, winning tackles, playing the ball forward, aerial duels. And then when he's off it he's a different person around the group. He’s with the lads smiling, he's a real pleasure to coach.

“He always wants to learn, so the more people like that in the squad the better.”