Carlos Corberan reveals excitement over West Brom's 'special' secret weapon

Published date24 April 2024
Publication titleBirmingham Mail: Web Edition Articles (England)
Maja was eased in having missed Albion's pre-season campaign, and just as he was preparing to make an impact he suffered his first serious injury in the form of ankle ligament damage in the dying embers of the goalless draw at Bristol City in September

Maja, formerly of Sunderland, then returned in December and scored his first goal in the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City, before he endured more rotten luck when on the receiving end of Dan Ballard's challenge on his Stadium of Light return a week later. Only in the last fortnight has Maja returned -just in time for Albion's run-in and likely play-off campaign.

Corberan's enthusiasm to work with Maja hasn't diminished in his absence. Indeed for many associated with Albion, he's become something of an intriguing unknown quantity while on the sidelines. It begs the question how Albion's goals for column this season might've differed had they had their number nine available for the bulk of the season.

"I think he's a player that made us feel excited when we brought him to the club, because for me he was a talent in England in his previous clubs with Sunderland, and Fulham in the Premier League," Corberan said. "After he found difficulty and moved to France to play there and challenge himself, because of the different language, and he used the opportunity very well to grow as a player.

"He comes back here with a desire to put all of his football and all his improvement in England again, so it made me feel excited in the summer with his quality, desire and maturity, but unfortunately the injuries stopped his progress or immediate impact -it doesn't mean it has decreased our level of belief...

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