Grady Diangana put on a show in West Brom promotion match

While West Ham were finishing up their 1-1 draw with Manchester United, Grady Diangana was beginning a masterclass in West Brom’s promotion match at the Hawthorns.

There were a few scenarios that would see West Brom promoted on the last day of non-playoff football. The combination that saw the Baggies’ ascension to the Premier League was a Brentford loss, a Fulham draw, and a draw of their own against QPR.

The scoreline was 2-2 with a West Ham connection in every goal. Ryan Manning opened the scoring on a great edge of the box finish. The young left-back has been scouted as a Cresswell/Masuaku replacement in recent weeks.

Eberichi Eze scored the second and levelling goal for QPR on a blown coverage by the West Brom left-back. Eze ran behind and thumped an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net with ease and precision. Eze is currently tipped as West Ham’s top midfield target this summer.

As for the West Brom goals, both had Grady Diangana written all over them. The first was a calm and cheeky nutmeg finish by Diangana off of a great laid off ball from Callum Robinson. Grady blew by the fullback marking him and finished tidily through the keeper’s legs to level the match.

The real highlight of this match, however, was West Brom’s second goal to put them up 2-1. Hemmed in along the sideline, Diangana drew in two defenders only to dribble his way out of the near-impossible situation, eventually crossing the perfect ball that split the keeper and centre-backs for Robinson to finish.

An absolute show-stopping performance, Diangana was a force off the left-wing and has us West Ham supporters licking our lips at the idea of him starting for us next season. With Felipe Anderson believed to be on his way out and Pablo Fornals destined for a central attacking midfield position, Diangana should get every chance to own the left-mid position.

What really impressed me about Diangana’s game was his composure and focus on this massively important match. After scoring the first goal he followed his shot into the net to collect the ball and get back to action. Similarly, after creating that magnificent second goal, he gathered his teammates and got them back to football from their celebrations.

Some nervous voices have emerged on social media believing that Grady will force a move out of the club. Whether it’s to chase more Premier League minutes or to stay with the team he was promoted with, I don’t see it happening.

Firstly, Diangana has five years left on his current contract. Should he perform to the level he showed this season upon returning, he’ll get a new, more lucrative deal in no time. Secondly and more importantly, he left on loan to prove he can improve with more match time and he has.

Lastly, he fits the mould perfectly for what David Moyes is trying to create at West Ham. A young, hungry team of players who have sharpened their skills and development in the lower leagues of English football. Triple check for Grady there.

There should be no thoughts on Grady Diangana from the West Ham perspective other than amazing forecasts of him tearing up and down the left-wing for an exciting Hammers team in the 2020-2021 season. Well done, Grady, and can’t wait to see you back in Claret and Blue!