West Bromwich Albion finds themselves once again in contention for promotion to the Premier League under the management of Carlos Corberan. Currently occupying fifth place in the table, they are positioned five points clear of seventh and are poised for a spot in the playoffs come May.
The club has been absent from Premier League action since their relegation in 2021, following their return to the top flight after a two-year absence.
A notable contrast between the current season and their previous successful promotion campaign is the absence of a standout star player. In the 2019/20 season, Matheus Pereira assumed this role with distinction.
Matheus Pereira quickly justified the expectations placed upon him. His exceptional performances played a pivotal role in West Brom’s success during their last promotion-winning campaign.
Matheus Pereira, a talented Brazilian attacking midfielder, made a significant move to West Bromwich Albion in August 2019. At the time, he was 23 years old and joined the club from Sporting Lisbon, a renowned Portuguese football club. The transfer was structured as a loan deal with an option for a permanent move.
Before joining West Brom, Pereira had a spell in the German Bundesliga with Nuremberg on loan from Sporting Lisbon. Despite his commendable performances, he couldn’t prevent Nuremberg from suffering relegation.
Given Pereira’s background with Sporting Lisbon and his experience in top European competitions such as the Bundesliga and the Europa League, there were high expectations for him to contribute significantly to West Brom’s promotion ambitions.
West Bromwich Albion had recently appointed Slaven Bilic, a respected manager with previous experience at clubs like West Ham United. Bilic’s arrival added further anticipation to the club’s aspirations.
During his time with West Brom, Pereira emerged as a key player and played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League. He showcased his talent and influence by making 42 league appearances, starting in 38 of those matches. Pereira’s contributions were notable, as he scored eight goals and provided an impressive 16 assists, making him the player with the most assists in the Championship that season.
Overall, Pereira’s impact was instrumental in West Bromwich Albion’s successful campaign, culminating in their second-place finish in the Championship and automatic promotion to the Premier League. His performances solidified his status as a vital player for the club during his time at The Hawthorns.
| Matheus Pereira’s 19/20 stats (league only, as per FotMob) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 42 |
| Minutes | 3374 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 16 |
| Successful passes per 90 | 35.3 |
| Pass accuracy | 79.7% |
| Chances created per 90 | 3.09 |
| Successful dribbles per 90 | 1.73 |
| Dribble success rate | 60.7% |
| Touches per 90 | 69.0 |
| Touches in opposition box per 90 | 2.99 |
Pereira made the step up to the Premier League with flying colours
Matheus Pereira, a talented Brazilian playmaker, played a significant role for West Bromwich Albion during their return to the Premier League. His impact was crucial as the team fought to maintain their top-flight status, although ultimately unsuccessful.
Pereira’s journey with West Brom began in the Championship, where he showcased his skills and contributed significantly to their promotion campaign. Following their return to the Premier League, Pereira made his move permanent, signing for £8.25 million.
Throughout the Premier League season, Pereira demonstrated his quality by scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in 33 league appearances. Despite his individual brilliance, West Brom couldn’t avoid relegation.
Following their relegation, Pereira’s time with West Brom came to an abrupt end. New manager Valerien Ismael stated that Pereira would be departing due to a perceived lack of commitment, a sentiment Pereira found disrespectful. Subsequently, he confirmed his desire to leave and eventually joined Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Despite being on loan back in Brazil with Cruzeiro, Pereira remains with Al-Hilal. His departure left a void at West Brom, with fans fondly remembering his contributions, including memorable moments like his brace against bitter rivals Wolves.
Pereira’s arrival at West Brom generated excitement, and he exceeded expectations with his performances. His departure has left a noticeable gap in the team, with supporters hoping for a player of similar caliber to aid the club’s current promotion push.
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