Carlos Corberan press conference notes: Nestor talks, Racic option and West Brom headache
Pre-match press conferences usually take place at West Bromwich Albion's Walsall training base, but on Friday we met with Carlos Corberan at The Hawthorns. Albion were conducting their squad photo for the day, which meant all 25 members of Corberan's squad, along with his staff, were in attendance.
Aside from Daryl Dike, and perhaps Jayson Molumby - although his issue is potentially a minor one - Corberan is leading his side to Portsmouth this weekend knowing he'll have to leave a handful of first-team players out of the 20-strong group which is named on the match-day team-sheet.
Albion have begun the campaign impressively, and now have a squad which appears to have struck a balance; after the additions of Mikey Johnston and Mason Holgate on transfer deadline day, Corberan has a depth of quality and numbers in personnel. Two players, at least, are vying for each position. It's a promising concoction.
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"I don't have any players I don't like," Corberan says. "Every player we have at the club has something which makes him special. Including Dike, we have 22 pitch players and it's important that all of these players are ready to play in the team.
"You can only involve 20 of 25, which means five good players are going to be out of the squad. You can only play with 11, plus five subs - so even then, one keeper and three pitch players aren't going to play. I would like a pre-season where you don't lose international players! I like to have many possibilities as it increases the level of the squad and we have a lot of possibilities."
Albion secured deals for Uros Racic and Callum Styles in the closing weeks of the transfer window; Styles arrived on a permanent basis, while Racic has joined on a season-long loan from Serie B side Sassuolo. With Molumby a doubt to face Pompey on Sunday (KO 3pm), Corberan could have his first significant selection call to make if the Irishman doesn't pull through - but he's hardly lacking in alternatives.
"Styles can play as a number eight, John Swift can play as a number eight, Uros is another number eight, Molumby we know," Corberan reeled off. "[Ousmane] Diakite is a number six. [Alex] Mowey last year was playing in the role of a short eight, different from Molumby. This year that role is now Swifty's, attacking more the spaces."
Racic is potentially a very exciting option. He would appear the natural replacement in the event Molumby is absent and left a positive first impression when making debut from the bench in the win over Swansea City at The Hawthorns before the international break. For Corberan, he has finally landed a target which transcends the clubs he's managed.
"Normally there are reasons why players make their careers," Corberan explained. "I like treat the players according to what I've watched. There are things that I know of Uros because we were close to signing him when I was working at Olympiacos. He was a player who we evaluated him in that moment. He is here because he can offer good things to the squad."
Albion also confirmed that Andrew Nestor had assumed sporting director responsibilities recently; Shilen Patel's Bilkul colleague has worked alongside Corberan and Ian Pearce in helping to identify players and bringing expertise from the experiences he has accumulated over an extensive career working in football in the States and in Italy.
"Being honest, I've enjoyed the time we have spent together," Corberan concludes, when asked of Nestor. "He is very clever, with a lot of experience but he is very intelligent to adapt, to listen, to understand the club, the different people in the process. He helps with players, ideas and to create and develop a strategy of work which he has done from the beginning.
"I've been lucky to have a lot of very good people and professionals around me, from the first moment I walked into the club, but now - from Mark [Miles], Ian Pearce, Andrew, and Shilen has been involved in the process. I am working with people who understand the club, the British culture and are clever in making decisions."