Simon Adingra seems to be another player to come out of Albion’s production line ready to surprise the Premier League as a fairly unknown quantity.
Although it may be early stages, the winger is treading the same path as colleague Kaoru Mitoma.
The Japanese winger burst on to the scene last season following a successful loan at Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian team Tony Bloom co-owns.
Adingra, who signed from Danish team FC Nordsjaelland on a four-year contract in June last year, impressed with both goals in Albion’s 2-0 win over Brentford last night at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The 21-year-old opened the scoring 19 minutes in with a goal that echoed Kaoru Mitoma’s delightful chip against Brentford in April when he met a defence splitting Jason Steele pass before chipping Raya in goal.
This time, Adingra met a 60-yard Steele pass but opted to round the keeper.
His clever first touch caught Brentford’s keeper Flekken off guard and the Ivorian slotted the ball in with ease.
His second goal came 58 minutes in when he received a first time pass from Steven Alzate and bent the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
Alzate, after a loan with Standard Liege in the Belgian top division last season, also looks like a player who will be in De Zerbi’s plans this season.
His first time pass unlocked Brentford’s defence and left Adingra in acres of space for the finish with the second goal.
Adingra played 30 league games, registering 11 goals and nine assists for USG last season.
He looks to be an asset for Albion’s first ever campaign fighting in Europe and the Premier League. Not only the two goals, but his pace, dribbling and the danger he has shown against Brentford and Chelsea.
The early signs from Adingra will bring plenty of excitement to Albion fans and certainly head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who emphasised the depth he needs with Albion playing up to 60 games this season.
Albion play Newcastle this Saturday at 12.30am in the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel