Corberan eyeing new striker in January but backs West Brom star to fill void

17 December 2023 , 06:00

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Carlos Corberan wants to sign a new striker in January (Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

Carlos Corberan believes Jeremy Sarmiento can step up and help solve West Brom ’s striker crisis.

The Baggies’ chief has been left reeling after serious injuries to Matt Phillips and Josh Maja in the past week - both will be missing for four months. But the 21-year-old winger, on loan from Brighton, has stepped into the void - and the Spaniard says he can provide the spark up front to make good that loss - although Corberan still wants to add one replacement next month.

West Brom’s head coach said: “Jeremy is not a striker - not in my mind, no. But I can see him as a No.10. Hopefully, I don’t have to play him as a No.9 - not because he can’t - but no, I see him more as a wide player.

“He’s a player who loves a one versus one. He’s someone who needs to dribble. So, I think for me, he should be outside than inside. He can beat players in a one on one.

“He gets people off their seats - one hundred per cent. That’s the reason he’s here - to dribble and take players on. If you can beat a player, you have a great chance.

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“But he also needs to see that this is not the only thing he can do in a game. There are other things. Sometimes, you need to dribble, pass, just have one touch.

“What I also see in him is something different. I see a passion. And I Iove the passion because you can manage it. When there’s a lack of something, it’s difficult to add it. When there is an excess of something, it’s easier to fix.”

Sarmiento has started the last four games for the Baggies. Corberan admits he should be taking it easier with the 21-year-old but he feels he has no option. He admitted: “It is a risk. The normal situation is that I should not have played him in the last game - in terms of fatigue.

“But at the same time, I have to play with him. It’s a risk but it’s my job. I have to win football matches.”

Stoke have not yet confirmed a successor to Alex Neil - with former Birmingham boss John Eustace now among the frontrunners to fill the post. Caretaker Paul Gallagher said: “We have done our analysis on West Brom and they are a good team but we need to be on the front foot, show grit and determination and play with more belief on the ball.

“That was the only negative of the Swansea performance. The lads were gutted in the dressing room to only get a point. We need to be brave in and out of possession in a local derby, which we know means a lot to the supporters for the bragging rights.”

Neil Moxley