CAN WE EVER HAVE ANY
'BIG GUNS'?
Nwankwo Kanu. Borja Valero. Nicolas Anelka. Those are clear examples of high profile flops in the modern era for The Baggies. Is Scott Sinclair going to be another one to put on that list? It looks that way.
Albion. Well, don’t you just know how to pick them? You wait and wait and just when we haven’t seen a high profile signing for a couple of years, you build the hopes of everyone connected to the club. But, are we meant to have high profile signings? Let’s investigate.
Voted as Arsenal’s 13th greatest player in the Gunners’ greatest 50 player’s poll, Nwankwo Kanu joined The Albion on the back of their 2003/04 promotion campaign back to the Premier League. Kanu brought with him high expectations having left Arsenal after their unbeaten title winning campaign, despite only netting 3 goals, 2 of which came against Albion and rivals Wolves, in 24 appearances (15 as sub) in the previous year. Kanu made an immediate debut in Albion’s first game of the season, the 1-1 draw away at Blackburn.
In Bryan Robson’s first game in charge, as Albion were losing 2-1 to Middlebrough, Kanu was guilty of ‘The Premier League miss of the season’ as, in injury time, he sent a low cross over the bar from 2 yards out leaving his new manager to mouth the words ‘How did he miss that?’.
He may not have played much of a part but that season was certainly a memorable one because, as we all know, it was the season of The Great Escape. Kanu only lasted one more season as he decided not to renew his contract following the relegation back to The Championship for The Baggies. Kanu’s recorded for Albion concluded with 9 goals from 58 appearances (16 as substitute), a less than impressive return. As well as this, Kanu didn’t do himself any favours by scoring the only goal in the F.A Cup Semi-Final of 2008 where
Portsmouth knocked Albion out in controversial fashion following Milan Baros’ handball in the lead up to the goal.
Ex-Real Madrid midfielder Borja Valero joined Albion in August 2008 following a good spell with Real Mallorca. He cost Albion £4.7million, their record signing, as they looked for a creative midfielder in a bid to become an established premier league club. Valero did not have the best of debut’s, making it just hours after receiving international clearance, as The Baggies slumped to a 3-1 defeat away to Hartlepool United. Valero failed to shine for Albion in the Premier League and, once they had been relegated, vowed to see out the 3 years remaining on his contract and to help them to get back to the big time.
However, by the beginning of the next campaign, he changed his mind and decided he’d rather play in his native Spain. Valero went back on loan to Mallorca where he was ever-present in their successful campaign, finish 5th in La Liga and individually winning the award ‘Best Spanish Player in La Liga’. After his loan had finished, he joined Villarreal on a season-long loan as Mallorca could not afford the agreed fee of £2.5 million.
Borja Valero enjoyed another successful out on loan from The Baggies as Villarreal finished 4th and qualified for The Champions League. He then joined on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee. Borja Valero made 36 appearances for Albion, making 2 assists and not being able to get on the score sheet. It seems that he has done brilliantly except for at Albion, even getting an assist in his solitary sub appearance for Spain.