West Bromwich Albion podcaster Chris Lepkowski has been sharing his thoughts on Baggies attacker Matheus Pereira and the fact that he started the club’s recent Premier League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on the substitutes’ bench.
This comes after Lepkowski recently co-hosted the latest episode of West Brom-themed podcast The Liquidator where he reflected on the 2-0 defeat against Jose Mourinho’s side.
On the subject of Pereira and Sam Allardyce’s decision to start him on the bench against Spurs, Lepkowski had this to say on the decision. (8.51)
He said: “A part of me understands why Allardyce did it. Did I agree with it? No, I think it’s a bonkers decision I really do. I think you play your strongest team.
“I think Mateus Pereira has a lot to learn about English football, but I’ll tell you what, he’s done a lot of good things recently and I believe he’s up for actually a nomination for Player of the Month for his performances of late and yet, there he is being dropped.
“Now, if you’re going to drop a player from a team, then I could think of about seven, eight players who I’d sooner drop than the guy who might just create or score you a goal.”
West Brom signed Pereira on a permanent deal back in the previous summer transfer window from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £7.43 million after he had spent the previous season on loan at the Hawthorns.
Overall, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £11.7 million, has made 63 appearances for West Brom in which he has managed to score 14 goals and provide 23 assists along the way (per Transfermarkt).
TIF Thoughts on Chris Lepkowski’s comments on Pereira…
Given how Pereira has scored more goals and provided more assists than any other West Brom player in the Premier League so far, it was a surprise to see the Brazilian on the bench for their trip to Tottenham.
Were you surprised that Pereira didn't start against Spurs?
Yes
No
Moving forward, in our view, Pereira should be starting every game if they want any chance of picking up some positive results and fight their way out of the relegation zone.