West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan has set Nathaniel Chalobah a challenge to get back into the starting lineup after the midfielder fell out of favour at the Hawthorns.
The England international joined the Baggies back in January from Premier League outfit Fulham after failing to appear regularly under Marco Silva at Craven Cottage. However, his time in the West Midlands hasn’t been much more enjoyable.
The player has been left on the bench for most of this season. Having started on the opening day at Ewood Park in a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, Chalobah was dropped, with the manager preferring to utilise Alex Mowatt, Okay Yokuslu and Jayson Molumby over the ex-Watford man.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of today’s clash away at high-flying Preston North End, Corberan has revealed what it will take for Chalobah to get back into the starting eleven [quotes via Birmingham Live]:
“What happens will depend a lot on how we grow. What I’ve seen in Chalobah is important; the way he’s reacted this week, I like a lot. I like when players react by working harder than before in order to have more chances to play.
“After, when they have chances to play, they need to work even harder to have more minutes in the next game. That’s the challenge not just with Chalobah, with everyone,” he continued.
“When he plays, then he is challenging to defend his position in the team. When they can’t use this chance in the starting XI or from the bench, they have the week to prepare themselves.
“I can’t tell you what will happen in football, but what happens will be related to what the players show when they have the opportunity to play.”
Writer’s View
Chalobah has less than a year remaining on his contract and will likely be a free agent by the end of the 2023/24 season unless Corberan has a massive change of heart.
It doesn’t look like the manager fancies the former Chelsea man so perhaps it would be better for his career if he sought a move away in January.
