Why West Brom should sign Matej Vydra on loan from Burnley

Back in July 2018, the Express and Star had claimed that West Brom were interested in re-signing Matej Vydra from Derby County. However, no deal materialised and the forward went on to join Burnley last summer.

After scoring 22 goals for Derby County in 2017/18 Championship campaign, Matej Vydra, 27, was expected to perform well under Sean Dyche at Burnley. But he struggled for regular opportunities at Turf Moor last season, managing just three starts overall.

The Czech Republic international has made it clear that he will reconsider his future in January if things do not improve this season. While he has found it tough to cut it in the Premier League, a move back to the Championship won’t be a bad idea at all.

That being said, West Brom must rekindle their interest in Vydra when the transfer window reopens in January.

West Brom have laid down an early marker in the Championship and are top of the table after the conclusion of 14 games. They are in with a real chance of winning promotion to the Premier League this season.

The appointment of Slaven Bilic has worked really well so far, with the Croatian tactician making the Baggies play an expansive, attacking brand of football.

However, Bilic must look to improve the productivity in front of goal to sustain a promotion challenge, with West Brom relying on finding goals from all over the pitch.

Albion signed both Charlie Austin and Kenneth Zohore during the summer transfer window, but the pair have struggled to replace the goals scored by both Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle so far this term, netting just three goals between them in Bilic’s first 14 league games.

Thus, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that West Brom need a proven goalscorer in their ranks. To put things into perspective, they would do a brilliant job if they manage to bring Matej Vydra on a six-month loan.

Vydra scored just three goals from 23 Premier League appearances during his loan spell at the Baggies six years ago. Even though he has failed to deliver in the Premier League, the 27-year-old is a proven Championship commodity and would improve West Brom’s productivity in front of goal.

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The Czech Republic forward could come at the Hawthorns and make that all-important difference in the last third in the second half of the campaign. The 27-year-old would be a superb addition because he is exactly the sort of player that could thrive under Bilic.

Verdict

West Brom have a real need for a more instant fix up front, with a proven reliable scorer needed to help the club fire themselves back into the Premier League during the second half of the campaign. And Vydra would be an ideal fit at the Hawthorns.