Finally, and not before many rounds of long, tortuous, drawn-out negotiations over every last penny of the deal, it would appear that West Bromwich Albion have now finally got hold of a winger, something that was glaringly missing during the opening-day defeat to Southampton.
I’d therefore like to extend a very warm welcome to The Hawthorns to Scott Sinclair, signed today from Manchester City.
The deal, it will come as no surprise, is in the form of an initial loan with £2m paid up-front, with a further £3-4m due next summer in order to make the move permanent. Sinclair is English, 24 years old and a fast, direct winger. So long as his year on the bench at Man City, not to mention his recent problems with blood clots, hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm for the game then I am sure that he will prove to be an important member of the squad.
One danger is the burden of expectation which will now inevitably be heaped upon his shoulders by an expectant, not to mention transfer-starved, supporter base. The fact that the then-Champions of English football decided he was good enough to sign just 12 months ago should dispel the notion that he isn’t worth the money, which has been bubbling away in recent Albion fan debates as the pro and anti-Jeremy Peace argument has raged on. More so than that, if he hits the ground running when he does step onto the pitch, the weeks of waiting will soon be forgotten.
Further additions are still required and should now follow, with Marseille’s Morgan Amalfitano, a 28 year-old once-capped French International midfielder capable of playing both wide or centrally being very strongly linked. His lack of pace may dictate that a more central role is more suited to his talents. This would still leave a gap in the squad to be filled by another winger but links to players such as Chelsea’s Victor Moses (unfortunately) and Norwich’s Wes Hoolahan (thankfully) have been dismissed as being nothing more than gossip filler material.
The signing of Sinclair should go some way towards calming the recent stormy waters in West Bromwich. Should another couple of quality additions join the ranks too, the hopes of pre-season may well return too.
Unfortunately, Everton away this Saturday may come too soon for the new blood but regardless, an improvement in performance is a must.
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