West Bromwich or Mallorca? You decide
I can just see the press conference now: "I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to chose between living in West Bromwich or Mallorca, I would make straight for West Bromwich." Borja Valero, August 2008.
Actually, I can't really imagine Snr Valero saying such things, although writer and broadcaster John Boynton Priestley clearly found cause to in his non-fictional works entitled English Journey, back in 1934 when he compared West Brom to Florence.
After all, why else would Borja Valero (apparently pronounced Borr-ha Bal-erro) contemplate leaving behind the sun, sand and sea of the Balearics for the Black Country? I could think of more than 20,000 reasons...
Albion's record signing-in-waiting has yet to rubberstamp his transfer.
But the good news is that he was here today (Monday), holding talks. The ominous clue came in the form of chairman Jeremy Peace, who arrived at 9am...on a Monday morning. Almost unheard of. Clearly there was something going on.
Tony Mowbray was saying nothing - 'thou shall not speak about players until they sign' has become the 11th commandment.
That's annoying for us, but you can't blame him. Given past experiences you'd like to think that once Valero had arrived Albion would have kept the gates firmly shut and confiscated his mobile phone...
So is he signing? Watch this space.
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Chris Lepkowski - Mail man Chris Lepkowski’s view of what’s going on at West Bromwich Albion FC.
Another test! Ignore if received!
Chris.
Is the Bajora Valero deal going ahead as it STILL hasnt been confirmed by the club as of yet? What is taking so long? It was rumoured that the deal would be confirmed by this morning! And its now FIVE PM and it hasnt been officially confirmed by the club!!! I know the agent has said the deal has been completed..but as a baggies fan i need confirmation from the club as ive seen many a deal slip away at the 11th hour! Maybe im just a really paranoid baggies fan...
Dave,
Technical difficulties mean I am currently unable to blog so will respond on here.
Valero worked out with the fitness coach at the training ground today (Wednesday)
He is expected to join up with his Albion team-mates in Thursday's training session with a view to being available for selection on saturday.
Subject to loose ends being tied up, he has signed although that has yet to be announced by the club.
Hope that helps
Chris
Chris,
Just read your comment now..thanxs for putting my mind to rest. It was just what happened with both Mccourt and Bougherra losing them at the last minute to Celtic and Rangers made me suspectiable that the deal would be scuppered. But what you have told me has helped." IN MOGGA WE TRUST " Lets hope Mr Mowbray can keep adding real quality to the existing team and continue making us a joy to watch. Best thing that has ever happened to west brom in recent history is Mr Mowbrary. P.S. Would just like to add that appreciate your work and your articles on albion are a joy to read. One of the best journalists if not the BEST journalist around. Keep the good work up..and i love reading your blogs!
I also think Chris Lepkowski is one of the best journalists around; and certainly the best on the Baggies.
He learned most of his stuff from me, you understand, and still draws his inspiration from critiques of mine that he reads elsewhere.
Two pigs in a poke; we am!
In Chris we trust BUT fans won't be convinced until we him trotting out in a Blue and white (no sponsor logo Shirt) against Everton!
Next up? A striker please.
You know it makes sense!
_
I thought your first message had more depth Terry.
Where is Valero?!
Chris it is my day off work and im getting agitated nothing as off yet has been confrmed by the club? How long does it take to tie up "loose ends"? Am i only the baggies fan worried that something is wrong?
Gordon Sundog.
You may well be right but you wouldn't (!?) believe the the problems encounterED when attempting to respond to Chris' Blogs.
Oh yes...Pete.
You are not alone in being concerned at the 'official' announcement of Valero's signing.
As i said "in Chris we trust'.
UNTIL HE'S PROVED WRONG!
Chris..Im absoulutely confused as to what is going on? Just heard Mr Mowbray's comment on the website? What is the hold-up? and is he our player? If so..what is the hold up? Agitation aint the word now! ( so confused)
Am really confused now. Chris saying he is training with us today, agent saying he has signed and looks forward to playing on Saturday, message boards inundated with ITKers stating done and dusted and now an official announcement stating we are interested in signing Valero. Have we or haven't we????
Chris..Enlighten us! 72 hours to tie up "loose ends". There is something wrong with the transfer and the longer it goes on the more i worry about whether we have SUPPOSEDLY signed him. Our Public Relations leaves alot to be deisred. Been on messageboards..and the majority of Albion fans are in the same boat as myself! Just seen Moggas interview..
A number of Albion believe it is an agent/paperwork issue Chris. Is this true?? If not then why has Mowbray said we're interested - why not say we're keen to conclude things but international transfers are complicated and take time.
This is a statement that distances us from the player and is a start of a save face process to suggest the club was never as close to a deal as the media was suggesting.
It is the first official statement about him and it's negative or at least distant.
Very worrying.
watching the minutes go by and still no statement form the club..this cant be good :(
My head is in a spin..chris update us fans please.