Brandon Thomas-Asante has praised injured West Brom star Josh Maja for improving his performance levels since arriving at the club.
As quoted by Birmingham Live (26 September), Thomas-Asante waxed lyrical about Maja’s forward actions and pointed to his technical and physical ability as aspects he “respects” about his game.
Maja is set for up to eight weeks on the sidelines following an ankle injury sustained in the Baggies 0-0 draw against Bristol City, but the Nigerian international has had his impact on the West Brom squad since his summer arrival.
Thomas-Asante said: “It’s been good and, personally, it can be harder physically to play up top on your own, but it’s something I’ve got used to and am capable of doing now. Me and Josh got to play together and it made it easier for me because he could drop in, take a defender away and I could use that space to get in behind.
“We all know Josh’s ability in the Premier League and Ligue 1 in France, but he’s come with a pedigree and he’s an amazing player. Technically and physically, his finishing is something I really respect as well and I feel I’ve improved since he’s come in and I’ve told him that. Seeing how he moves, how he’s comfortable dropping in because I’m more inclined to get in behind than going short, but it’s been interesting seeing him close up and how he works.
“Me and Josh have been to dinner a few times and a few other boys too; it’s not easy when you move to a new club, because you might be in a hotel and that was only the case last year for me. Getting to do those things away from football early has helped to bed him in, build a connection and I like to think of us as friends too – it’s amazing to have that.”
Blossoming connection
Baggies fans will have been frustrated with Maja’s Bristol City injury, but Thomas-Asante’s comments regarding the former Bordeaux man will be very reassuring. Not only is there a developing relationship on the pitch, but Thomas-Asante revealed the pair’s growing friendship off it, which is always a bonus for a squad.
Maja seems to have made a very good impression on the rest of the West Brom squad since his arrival in early August but is yet to cement himself as a regular for Carlos Corberan’s side.
Maja seems to have made a very good impression on the rest of the West Brom squad since his arrival in early August but is yet to cement himself as a regular for Carlos Corberan’s side.
Per TransferMarkt, Maja has played just 91 minutes of Championship football this season and his latest injury setback will see him out of the side until at least early November.
However, Thomas-Asante’s comments suggest that Corberan will have an interesting dynamic to play with up top when the 24-year-old returns to the side. The Baggies will be keen to get Maja up and firing again as soon as possible after his 16-goal haul in the French second division last season.
The Baggies have been amongst the goals this season but will be eager to shoot up the table as soon as possible. This blossoming partnership could prove influential once Maja returns to the side.
