Steven Alzate has been backed to shrug off the disappointment of seeing a potential loan deal timed out. The midfielder was expected to sign for West Brom but the deal, which only emerged late on, did not beat Thursday night’s transfer deadline. Alzate has struggled for playing time and midfield competition has now been increased with Billy Gilmour on board. The Colombia international seized his opportunity to impress in the Carabao Cup, scoring at Forest Green and generally performing well. Albion head coach
Graham Potter said: “It’s part of football. Unfortunately sometimes these things happen on a deadline day. There was an option for him but we weren’t kicking him out the door either. It could have gone either way. He’s a player we know, a player we like so he will be on the squad and he will be part of our group and then he will be competing for a place.”
Alzate could still have options to move to Europe. Asked whether he had been keen to join the Baggies,
Graham Potter said: “I think he was quite keen to do either, to be honest. The opportunity to play regular football was something to be considered as well. That’s why he made the consideration and the decision. But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. That’s life.”
The 21-year-old was man of the match in Scotland’s Euro tie against England last summer, as well as playing 24 games for relegated Norwich last season.
Graham Potter said: “There’s a chance of him being in the squad absolutely. He trained well today, he hasn’t had much football in terms of competitive games but he has trained a lot. It’s just how he feels and settles into the group but he will be available. As a footballer he is very technically able, can take the ball and deals with it well. He benefits from structure and the team functioning well. That’s our job, we have to find the right role for him and find the role for the other guys to compliment him. If we do that, he will have a really successful time here.”
Asked if this move was a “clean slate” after his experience being relegated last season, Potter highlighted the importance of a variety of experiences for a player’s development.
Graham potter said: “You just go through life, you accrue experiences. Some are positive, some aren’t. That’s the life of being a footballer, you use the experiences for your own development as well. His character is really strong, his personality is really impressive so whatever experiences he has, he learns from them. We will help him on the next stage of his journey. We’re excited, I think it’s an exciting signing for us. Billy is a very able footballer, great character, a great personality. I think he will fit in with the group and we’re looking forward to working with him. He adds a bit of competition in that area.”
Albion host bottom side Leicester City this Sunday at 2pm.
