By Ewah Chika.


"He's a top, top player and I'm delighted we've got him. I said last week that these signings had to be about players who would improve our squad and Nacer does precisely that ," were the words of Walsh man and West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis upon signing Belgian and former Tottenham attacking midfielder Nacer Chadli for £13 million .

Chadli might have regressed in Spurs after exploding in the Premier League in 2013, having arrived as an unknown talent from Twente for £7 million.
The Belgian won the KNVB Cup with Twente in 2010 before moving to Spurs and establishing himself as a starter under Andre Villas Boas and Tim Sherwood on the left side of midfield with Andros Townsend playing in the right flank while Christian Erikson was positioned as the no.10, slightly behind main striker Emmanuel Adebayo. Although Chadli delivered with assists and goals, scoring 15 times in 88 league games for the Spurs, his position in the team quickly changed once Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as Sherwood's replacement in 2014. After Pochettino's appointment , Erikson was moved to the right flank which was Chadli's favourite position while Erik Lamela who had flopped under Boas was shifted to the left and Dele Alli playing slightly behind main striker Harry Kane last season. This limited the Belgian's game time, thus denying him the chance to play in the Euro's with Belgium as the likes of Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Dries Mertens (Napoli) and Eden Hazard (Chelsea) were all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Although not one that is blessed with skills and creativity, Chadli possess enormous physical strength and ability to play both foot. The Belgian is a direct player blessed with a good hold-up play coupled with his ability to play in any midfield position. With West Brom lacking the cutting edge in the final third, Chadli is tailor made to fit in at the club giving the team more attacking impetus . Albion fans will pray the Belgian doesn't struggle the way the likes of James McLean and Callum McManaman have done at the club of recent . Chadli's signing at West Brom will relieve Venezuelan star striker Rondon who has been the only spark in the team's attack since joining the club last summer after the summer exit of Stephan Sessegnon and hot and cold display of Berahino.

In a market where the likes of Leroy Sane , Michy Batshuayi, Yannick Bolasie have all cost £38 million, £32 million and £25 million respectively , it is safe to conclude that the summer signing of 27-year-old Nacer Chadli for £13 million is a bargain, given that Rondon is tipped to thrive in a system that positions both Matt Philips and Chadli on the wings, allowing him to finish the chances both players will create for him upfront.


Nacer Chadli has made a move to a less prestigious club but this is also the sort of club he needs to rediscover his best form and make a claim for a recall to the Belgian national team (Red Devils) in time for the 2018 World Cup in Russia under new manager and former Wigan and Everton coach Roberto Martinez.


Source

Mailtelegraph..com or

http://mailtelegraph..com.ng/2016/09/ultra-defensive-dull-and-boring-is-west.html?m=1