Mowbray expects Valero impact

Baggies boss hails Spanish schemer

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th October 2008

borja valero west brom

Valero: Still adapting

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Tony Mowbray believes Borja Valero will prove to be a shrewd acquisition for West Brom this season.

The Spaniard is still adapting to life in England following his £4.75million summer switch from Real Mallorca.

He has taken time to adjust to the pace and physical nature of the Premier League but has shown glimpses of the talent which brought him to Mowbray's attention.

With that in mind, the Baggies boss is tipping the 23-year-old to be a top flight success story over the coming months.

"I love watching Borja. He is my type of footballer and I am looking forward to him having a long career here and playing a part in our success as we move along," said Mowbray.

Entertaining

"He undoubtedly has to adapt to the physicality of the league.

"But, in my eyes, football is all about entertaining supporters and this kid is someone who gives the ball to his team-mates, sees forward passes and picks the right weight of pass.

"I also like people smashing into tackles but he is here to fill the role he was bought for, which is to pass and knit things together.

"Is he doing that? Yes. Is he challenging everybody, winning 50-50s and crunching people? No, because that's not what he was brought here for.

"I play him in a role where he can get the ball and make things happen and play where the ball is."