Carlos Corberan has disclosed that before Reyes Cleary’s injury setback in April, West Brom had planned to offload the promising academy product during the summer transfer window.
The 19-year-old attacker made five appearances in three different competitions for Corberan’s team and scored 19 goals for Richard Beale’s PL2 team during the 2022–2023 season. He was an immediate impact.
But after scoring a hat-trick against Derby in a 5-1 PL2 victory in April—his final game wearing a West Brom shirt—the Baggies wonder sustained a significant hamstring injury before the close of the previous year [Transfermarkt].
Speaking prior to Cleary’s return to training for Saturday’s Championship match against Plymouth Argyle, Corberan said he thought Cleary required the loan experience prior to his injury setback.
According to him, Reyes Cleary is still an under-21 player because of his severe injury from the previous season and lack of loan experience, as reported by Birmingham Live on October 20.
“I thought he needed the loan in order to be prepared for the starting squad. He has a lot of potential, but we believe a loan is necessary.
“Unfortunately, our plan was unsuccessful as he sustained a serious injury during the last games, which will keep him off the field for four or five months.”
January credit potential
Before his injury setback in April, the West Brom youth was undoubtedly making enormous progress, demonstrating why he is perhaps one of the club’s greatest potential.
With 19 goals for the Under-21s in the previous season, he set a remarkable record that, with the right opportunity and management trust, he may very well translate to a higher level.
For Cleary, a loan move would have been the best way to not only improve and hone his skills but also further his career, which would have been advantageous for West Brom in the long run.
But considering the enormous progress he made the previous season, his injury in April was a serious setback for him. As is the case with many football players these days, injuries are undoubtedly a learning curve, and Cleary’s will be as well.
After his comeback, practicing with the first team will be a crucial step towards him becoming the player the Baggies are certain he can be. Hopefully, he can use the setback as motivation to improve his development and learning.
Although Corberan can decide whether Cleary is ready for the Championship, given his stellar youth record, it seems unlikely that he would make a loan move in the January transfer window based on Corberan’s remarks.
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