Valero: happy at the Hawthorns

I think we are playing good football and from a personal perspective I think that this is the best team I could have come to in order to develop as a player in this league.

Borja Valero
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• West Bromwich Albion

Borja Valero's career has taken him from the white of Real Madrid to the Black Country in a short space of time, but the man himself believes he has made the right move.

The Baggies' £4.7million summer signing told Revista de la Liga that he couldn't be at a better place.

The 23-year-old has made played five of the seven Premier League games so far as Tony Mowbray's side have defied the critics and picked up 10 points.

And Valero, who grew up in Real Madrid's famous youth system at the Bernabeu, believes the football being played is perfect for him - even if it was a bit of a gamble switching to the Hawthorns.

"Well at first I really didn't know much," he told Revista.

"One week before I signed I was lucky enough to play a friendly here against West Brom at the Hawthorns and it went well. I saw the stadium and had a look at the town and when they offered me the chance to join them I was happy to do so.

"Since I have been here I have seen teams like Bolton or other teams that play a slightly more physical game - where I don't think I would have fitted in so well.

"Thankfully our manager likes to play good football and we are doing well. We are a small team and sometimes we struggle in certain areas but I think we are playing good football and from a personal perspective I think that this is the best team I could have come to in order to develop as a player in this league."

Valero is one of a number of players to have started at Real and not made the grade before flourishing elsewhere.

He says there is no better place to learn the trade, but did dispel doubts about Berndt Schuster's current side and their chances of retaining their La Liga crown.

"Well I don't think that people are that convinced by them so far," he said.

"I have my doubts, they have hardly made any signings to strengthen the team. Their first game in Coruna was a very tough game but they seem to be getting things together now."

As Spaniard in England, Valero is also perfectly placed to comment on goings-on at the club he left last season, Real Mallorca.

An ex-pat businessman, Paul Davidson, is on the verge of completing a takeover of the La Liga side, whose mid-table position does not reflect the financial struggles off the field.

Valero admits that the man known as 'The Plumber' taking over will not go down too well with the locals but agrees something needs to be done.

"Well it is a complicated situation," he said. "Thus summer I was aware of the fact that there were problems. It was a strange situation. I hope that the Englishman buys the club and things work out.

"What is important is that things stabilise so that players can concentrate on playing football which I am sure is what they want to get on with. I don't think they are going to be happy about it.

"Last season the fans fully supported Vicente Grande, who is still President and a true local. He is a lifelong fan of Mallorca, I don't think the fans will be too happy with a foreigner buying the club, but I am sure that if it is for the good of the club they will understand."