Those Manchester United and Chelsea finishes aside, Mbaye Diagne’s short-lived West Brom spell may be remembered more for the chances he missed rather than those he put away.
Brought in on loan by Sam Allardyce in January 2021 with the idea of saving the Baggies from relegation, Diagne scored just three times in 16 times as this so-called yo-yo club swung back towards the Championship.
But, say what you want about Diagne’s West Brom spell, no one could argue with his record in the Turkish Super Lig. The Golden Boot may be out of the question. Another misfiring former Premier League striker Enner Valencia is producing almost Ronaldo-esque numbers at Fenerbahce. But Diagne still has enough time on his side to make 2022/23 the most prolific campaign of his career.
In 16 league starts, he has 14 goals – plus a further five assists – for Fatih Karagumruk. In all competitions, his tally stands at 16 in 18.
Only once before has Diagne broken the 20-goal barrier (2018/19 at Kasimpasa). But the well-travelled Senegal international should comfortably do so again this term. Maybe even with a few games to spare.
Former West Brom striker Mbaye Diagne can’t stop scoring in Turkey
“Diagne is our striker. The more chances we create, the more goals he will score,” Fatih Karagumruk coach Andrea Pirlo – yes that Andrea Pirlo – smiled after Diagne pummelled a hat-trick past Sivasspor last time out.
Pirlo the Purist has introduced a free-flowing, freeform style to Fatih Karagumruk. Yes, a balance is yet to be struck between attacking and defending. They concede almost as many goals as they score. But the difference between Diagne in a Pirlo team and Diagne in a Sam Allardyce team is, as you might expect, rather stark.
“It’s clear to see he’s a goalscorer,” Allardyce said after Diagne netted one of his measly three Baggies goals during a 1-1 draw with Man United.
He might not have lived up to that moniker at West Brom but he certainly is under Pirlo in Turkey.
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