Valerien Ismael says Alex Mowatt will ‘help the team understand the principles of our play’ after making the midfielder his first West Bromwich Albion signing. The 26-year-old midfielder has penned a three-year contract at The Hawthorns to reunite with Ismael after starring under the Frenchman at Barnsley last term. Mowatt captained the Tykes to the play-off semi-finals and will be vital to Ismael and his coaching staff as they aim to lead the Baggies to promotion.
Valerian Ismael said: “Last year Alex put his performances on the next level. He is an outstanding midfield player with outstanding qualities and mentality. He scores goals outside the box, and on set-pieces, he is very dangerous. He is a hard worker with the right mentality and a lot of energy. The way Alex plays will suit the West Brom mentality. He is a leader as well. He is still a young guy, but he has a lot of experience. He has hunger, and he is the exact profile of player that suits West Bromwich Albion. Alex is the first signing and the first step. Signing Alex is important to help the team understand the principles of our play. It will give the guys more confidence and understanding of how we want to play. It will be easier for them to follow him. “
Mowatt has bags of Championship experience, having started his career at Leeds United, where he spent four seasons playing regularly in the second tier. In his second full season with Leeds Mowatt netted nine goals from midfield, while he managed eight for Barnsley under Ismael last term.
