Football League World
·10 October 2024
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·10 October 2024
Carlos Corberan has revealed his excitement at the potential of one of West Brom's young talents
Carlos Corberan has highlighted West Brom youngster Harry Whitwell as a potential first team prospect for this season.
The youngster will turn 19-years-of-age next month, and has impressed many with his performances at underage level for the Baggies.
The midfielder has scored five goals from five appearances in the Premier League 2 this season, with his eye-catching displays even earning him the attention of the Albion manager (all stats from Fbref).
No decision has yet been made over his immediate future, but if he can continue performing at this level then it will only be a matter of time before he makes the jump up to senior football.
The teenager has a contract with West Brom until the summer of 2026, having signed an extension to his first professional deal last August after his competitive debut in the EFL Cup.
Corberan has expressed his interest in Whitwell, suggesting that he’s been impressed by his recent performances.
The Spaniard has revealed his excitement at the potential he feels the youngster possesses, with Whitwell also taking part in first team training on a regular basis already, indicating he could follow in the footsteps of academy graduate Tom Fellows.
“I wasn’t happy because he scored some goals – I am very happy with how I am watching Harry,” said Corberan, via Express & Star.
“Every day he is training with us.
“He is training many times.
“He is showing a level that I am very, very, very pleased with.
“I am very pleased with how this kid is progressing. Very pleased.
“Probably he is a player who has grown more with his potential.
“I knew he had a lot of potential. But the level he is maturing as a player – every time he plays with us, every time I watch him, I feel more pleased about how he is performing and growing.
“It excites me a lot.”
Corberan has explained that there are multiple paths forward for the teenager this season, including a potential loan move in January, indicating a decision will be made by West Brom’s hierarchy over his future in November or December.
“He is a player you can think of two possibilities,” he added.
“He is still a young player.
“He can make the full year here, progressing how he is, or think about the loan if something appears or we find something we consider is his next step.
“Do [we need] these decisions in this time right now? It’s not the moment.
“These decisions need to start at the end of November and beginning of December, according to how he is progressing, and more things.
“He has arrived to this moment where we can consider two scenarios.
“The under-21 games still challenge him, so I think both scenarios could be fine.”
Normally when young players are coming through, managers will want to play down their potential to ease the pressure on them.
But the fact that Corberan is bigging him up so much already is a sign that they are very confident in his ability.
He’s already made his senior debut for West Brom, so a first league appearance might not be too far away if he can continue improving his game.