Why West Brom re-signing Filip Krovinovic on loan is a real boost

According to Sky Sports, West Brom have been successful in their efforts to bring Filip Krovinovic back to the Hawthorns on a second successive loan deal from Benfica. 

The 25-year-old, who spent the entirety of the previous campaign on loan in Midlands, played a key role as Slaven Bilic’s side finished runners-up to Leeds United and secured automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Krovinovic, who was also on the radar of Italian club Bologna and La Liga outfit Getafe this summer, has now rejoined West Brom. (h/t Sky Sports)

Profile

Filip Krovinovic rose through the youth ranks of Dinamo Zagreb and Lokomotiva Zagreb before completing his development at NK Zagreb, where he enjoyed his senior breakthrough in the Croatian top-flight. The playmaker was snapped up by Portuguese club Rio Ave back in the summer of 2016 and subsequently joined heavyweights Benfica, with whom he won the Primeira Liga title.

The 25-year-old joined West Brom on loan last summer after finding himself restricted to a bit-part role at Benfica. Krovinovic contributed with 3 goals and 2 assists in 40 appearances in the Championship last term as the Baggies secured a return to the top-flight. 

Krovinovic represented Croatia at U-19 and U-21 levels earlier in his career but he is yet to make his senior international debut. 

Krovinovic’s return has replenished West Brom’s attack

West Brom were really dominant in the Championship last season but the Baggies have endured a tough start to life in the top-flight. Having suffered heavy defeats against Leicester City and Everton in their first two games, the Baggies surrendered a three-goal lead to settle for a point against Chelsea last week.

Despite not having made big signings, they have done really well to secure permanent deals for last season’s loanees –  Grady Diangana, Matheus Pereira, and Callum Robinson – and Filip Krovinovic has now rejoined the crew at the Hawthorns.

Bilic rotated the likes of Diangana, Krovinovic, and Pereira in different positions across the forward line in the Championship last season. Hence, it’s easy to see that the Croatian’s arrival at the club has not only replenished the Baggies’ creative firepower in the final third but has also handed a significant boost to the manager’s squad dynamics.

Pereira and Diagana have clearly been overburdened with a lot of creative workload so far and West Brom undoubtedly look a better attacking unit on paper with someone like Krovinovic in the ranks.

Read more

• Why West Brom should not make a move Troy Deeney
• West Brom hold talks to sign £900,000-rated defensive ace Cedric Kipre – A smart move by Bilic?
• Why Sheffield United must continue their pursuit of Oliver Burke

Verdict

Filip Krovinovic didn’t really set the stage on fire in the Championship last season but it’s hard to deny that he was a vital cog in West Brom’s attack and certainly one of Bilic’s trusted creative lieutenants.

The Croatian formed an excellent partnership with the likes of Robinson, Diangana and Pereira, meaning that the 25-year-old’s return to familiar surroundings comes as a massive boost to West Brom’s chances of survival in the Premier League.