Imagine him & Grant: WBA's £7.2m-rated “special talent” must finally be unleashed - opinion

On Wednesday, West Brom entertain promotion chasers AFC Bournemouth with both sides looking to secure all three points.

Over the last five games, the Baggies have taken eight points from a possible 15, with the recent 1-0 defeat against West Midlands rivals Birmingham City proving as a potential detriment to their outside chances of sneaking into the play-off places.

Results have been poor since the start of the year and even with the appointment of Steve Bruce, West Brom have struggled to settle on a formation. They have made some improvements, with Bruce deploying a 3-5-2-flat formation across the last five games, and it has seen the Baggies begin to pick up much-needed points at what is such an important time in the season.

There is a slight issue with the system though; it does not cater for all of their talent, with prospects like Grady Diangana, who has been described as a “special talent” by The Athletic reporter Steve Madeley, failing to get a look in over the last five games.

Since Bruce’s system change, Diangana’s game time has suffered drastically with the former England youth player making six-eight minute cameos off the bench for the Baggies in four of the last five games.

Just a year-or-so ago, West Ham skipper Mark Noble slammed the Hammers’ decision to let Diangana leave and shared his view in response to the club’s official tweet regarding Diangana’s departure. He said:

“As captain of this football club I’m gutted, angry and sad that Grady has left, great kid with a great future!!!!!!”

At the time of Diangana’s departure from West Ham, there were also links to Ajax, with Erik ten Hag said to have been interested in the now £7.2m-rated winger.

Diangana’s talent is unquestionable but his potential is not