Hardly playing at Paris Saint-Germain under Unai Emery, Grzegorz Krychowiak needed to find himself a way out from the French club, and West Brom opened their doors to the Poland international, bringing him on loan.
With the Baggies for the whole of the 2017-18 season, the defensive midfielder, under Alan Pardew, had a time to forget at the Hawthorns, as the club eventually disappeared back down to the Championship.
Once the season ended, Krychowiak returned to Paris Saint-Germain, where another loan was sorted out, this time to Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia, which includes an option to buy.
Enjoying himself a whole lot more there than he did at West Brom, the 28-year-old sat down with Championat to discuss a variety of subjects.
Asked about his transfer to the Baggies, he said: “The decision to go there was made in the last minute. I had different loan options, but PSG wanted to sell me. After a year on the bench, it was almost unbelievable. I asked for a loan. I explained that it would then be easier for them to sell me next season, so I went to England.
“It wasn’t the best period, but the experience was interested. I played poorly, we lost a lot. I didn’t want someone to think that I don’t care about the club and the results, so I did everything in my power. It just didn’t always happen”.
As for the public refusal to shake Alan Pardew’s hand, Krychowiak admits he didn’t do it on purpose, and that he was so angry with how things were going, he didn’t even see his manager’s outstretched hand.
A period to forget for everyone, it seems, but the past is the past, and both parties are now looking towards the future: West Brom are fighting for promotion back to the Premier League, and Krychowiak is playing for a permanent transfer away from Paris Saint-Germain.
