Replacing Tony Pulis at West Brom, Alan Pardew’s time at the Hawthorns hasn’t exactly gotten off to a dream start.
Yet to win a game in eight attempts, the Baggies have only picked up four points from a possible 24 and currently find themselves 19th in the Premier League, two spots lower than when they got rid of their previous manager.
For one player, however, the board’s decision to appoint Pardew was greeted positively, as Nacer Chadli’s time in the Midlands was starting to turn into a nightmare.
Speaking to Sport/Foot in Belgium about the change in management, the 28-year-old said: “I spoke to him straight away. We had a good talk, and he told me everyone was starting with a blank slate. Of course, that’s reassuring. Especially since I know he’s a manager who likes to use a more attacking philosophy.
“On a personal level, it changes quite a few things. If Pulis had stayed, we would’ve had a proper discussion about my future. Looking at what happened, the situation is now different. I don’t see myself changing clubs five months before the World Cup.”
As for the summer, that’s anyone’s guess.
He continued: “We’ll see what happens in Russia and the possibilities that might open. Going back to a club capable of fighting for the top of the table would be the cherry on top. I’m not hiding that.”
That doesn’t mean his time at West Brom has been a waste of time.
The former Tottenham forward believes that playing for a full season with the Baggies last year helped him become a ‘more complete player’, especially since he had to learn how to defend to suit Tony Pulis’ style of play.
Now feeling more comfortable at ‘wing-back’, the Belgium international is hoping he’ll be a regular for Pardew when he returns from injury, currently recovering from a hamstring problem.
