West Brom supremo and obsessive cap-wearer Tony Pulis channelled his inner Clark Gable on Friday after being quizzed over former hostage-cum-striker Saido Berahino.
Asked whether the troublesome forward’s fortunes could change at Stoke City under Mark Hughes following his £12m move last month, Pulis said:
[quote] “Personally, I don’t give a damn now. I’ve spent two and a half years at this club and he’s not my problem anymore. I wish him all the best.” [/quote]
Tell us how you really feel, Tony.
Berahino was once the apple of the Baggies’ eye (“a striker that’s not Marc-Antoine Fortune? PRAISE THE LORD!”) but after transfer requests and rejected bids, and just all-round stubbornness from both club and player, the 23-year-old quickly fell out of favour, left to stew on the sidelines.
Berahino finally secured his escape from the Black Country with a move north to the Potteries in January, making his debut against Everton on Wednesday, although yet again controversy wasn’t far behind.
It was revealed the young forward had served an eight-week suspension while at the Baggies for testing positive for recreational drug use, although Potters’ boss Hughes was aware of this before signing Berahino and comfortable enough to push the transfer through.
Saido Berahino took recreational drugs while at his former club. Being forced to watch West Brom every week will do that to a man.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 3, 2017
Pulis claimed Berahino’s drug ban wasn’t the motive behind being frozen out at the Hawthorns.
[quote] “We never picked him again because his fitness levels, mental levels, were never what we wanted.
“This club has been absolutely fantastic towards Saido. The way it’s protected him, the way it’s looked after him. He should be really, really grateful.” [/quote]
Berahino returns to West Brom with his new side tomorrow for their Premier League clash, which should be interesting to say the least. A fiver says he scores then nicks Pulis’ cap in celebration.
