Two Replacements For Grzegorz Krychowiak That West Brom Can Target
The capture of Grzegorz Krychowiak by West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, raised quite a few eyebrows back in the summer. The Polish midfielder had struggled in his time in the French capital, but it was widely regarded as a quality acquisition for the Baggies.
Fast forward four months and things have hardly gone according to plans for both the player and the club. The 27-year old has made only 13 Premier League appearance for the East Midlands club, managing just a single assist, failing to live up to the lofty expectations that were placed upon him. And as per reports from the Birmingham Mail, Krychowiak is set to cut short his loan spell at the Hawthorns in January.
It is understood that the midfielder earns wages over £100,000 per week, and Baggies’ new boss Alan Pardew is looking to free up the wage bill in order to bring in new players as he prepares his side for a relegation battle. If it so happens that Krychowiak’s loan spell at the Hawthorns comes to a premature end, here are two replacements that West Brom could look to bring in, to replace him.
Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City)
The 28-year old Iceland midfielder will be out of contract next summer and has even rejected a new contract offer from Cardiff earlier this season. That means Gunnarsson will be available on the cheap and could be someone for West Brom to consider, in case of Krychowiak’s departure.
Gunnarsson has been with the Bluebirds since 2011 and has notched up 250 appearances for the club across all competitions. An experienced pro in the English game, with over 300 appearances in the second division with Cardiff and Coventry City and 23 appearances in the Premier League as well, the Icelandic international would be able to help the struggling Baggies with his wealth of experience and knowledge.
In the ongoing season, he has made just 12 appearances for Cardiff, bagging a solitary assist. Known for his ability to break play up in the middle of the park with smart interceptions and tackles, the midfield enforcer could prove to be a smart buy for West Brom.
Jack Colback (Newcastle United)
The 28-year old Englishman has been frozen out of the squad by Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez and he could be looking for a new club in January. And the Baggies must look to capitalize on his situation and make a swoop for him.
Colback hasn’t featured in a single game for the Magpies this term, after his falling out with the manager, but has turned out thrice for the reserves in the Premier League 2. Last season, he featured 34 times for the Tyneside outfit in all competitions, registering two assists in total.
A veteran of 178 appearances in the Premier League, during his time with Sunderland and Newcastle, Colback knows what it takes to cut it at this level. Add to that the versatility that he brings to the table, with his ability to slot in on the left-side of the midfield and at left-back as well and his ability to hold on to the ball effectively in the middle of the park and recycle possession, would be an asset for the West Midlands outfit.