Berahino a model professional, insists West Brom boss

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West Brom boss Alan Irvine insists reports of Saido Berahino having a poor attitude couldn’t be further from the truth.

West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Irvine has paid tribute to Saido Berahino’s work ethic so far this season and revealed it goes against what he had heard prior to arriving at the club this summer.

The promising forward burst onto the scene at the start of last season, netting a hat-trick in the 3-0 League Cup win against Newport County, before scoring the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

However, the 21-year-old suffered a serious dip in form after being given a new long-term contract in December, and reports of a dust up with teammate James Morrison in April over his attitude served as serious cause for concern going forward.

Irvine insists, though, that he’s seen no evidence of such behaviour over the past few months and has hailed the England under-21 international as a model professional.

‘I’ve only seen a really good professional in the time I’ve been here,’ he told Sky Sports News HQ.

‘His training has been good. He tries really hard every single day and stays every day to work on his finishing.

‘He loves his football and tries to do everything I ask him to do, and I see a really talented young player who has a great future.

‘I’d heard from a distance about the problems of last year that he had, but I’ve not seen any evidence of that; I’ve seen a model professional.’

Berahino has netted three times in seven total appearances so far this season, the latest strike proving the decider in the 3-2 Capital One Cup win over Hull in midweek, and Irvine believes he is well on track to becoming a Premier League star.

‘I had a conversation with him earlier this week, saying to him he could be a top, top player,’ he said.

‘His movement is very good. He can finish with both feet.

‘There are things he obviously still needs to work on as a young player, but he’s making quick progress and if he continues with that professional approach that he’s got and terrific attitude then he will progress even quicker.’