Oliver Burke has found life far from straightforward following his big money departure from Nottingham Forest three years ago.
The flying Scotsman who burst onto the scene at the City Ground before making a £13m move to German Bundesliga side Leipzig has struggled to settle since arriving back in England at West Brom in the summer of 2017, in a move worth £15m.
Since his move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, Burke has started just two games for the Baggies, though under new manager Slaven Bilic, things could be about to change.
Burke will be back on familiar ground this evening when the Championship campaign gets underway, and the Baggies’ new boss wants the 22-year-old to flourish, even if that means him showing his worth off the bench against his former paymasters and playing as a second striker rather than his more customary wing role.
“Hopefully he’s going to flourish because we need him,” said Bilic, who took over at the Hawthorns earlier this summer.
“For a boy maybe so young, he experienced so much in terms of transfers.
“He needs stability, continuity and he has to show in every training and game that he’s focused.
“Of course, he’s got it on paper. He shows a few glimpses, and when he’s sharp he’s very difficult to stop.
“There are a few coaches who like him here (up front). He can play both. We’re going to use him in both positions but his pace and physicality, it’s good to have him as close to the goal as possible.”
