Over a year since the saga began, we ask who is responsible for Berahino’s demise.
Saido Berahino
More often than not, Berahino has been his own worst enemy. He exemplifies the young modern footballer who not only wants too much too soon, but expects too much too soon.
In September of 2015, his post-deadline day tweets exposed an apparent lack of respect for the club that nurtured his talents. Berahino had every right to hand in a transfer request and lobby for a move behind the scenes but his decision to take to the public realm of social media was ill-advised. It made him a figure of ridicule and left him alienated from his club, the fans and his teammates. Berahino should have learnt the lesson from Peter Odemwingie that deadline-day meltdowns have damaging and long-lasting implications.
To his credit, Berahino has curbed his approach to social media and, presently, there does not seem to be any issues with attitude on or off the pitch. However, he still carries around the self-inflicted tag of a ‘troublemaker’ and it is a difficult label to shed. His own behaviour has tainted his reputation and would have discouraged Spurs from returning with another offer. It has also cost him valuable time in his career.
Jeremy Peace and Daniel Levy
The negotiations between West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur for Berahino pitted two of football’s most stubborn chairmen against each other. Unfortunately, business came before Berahino and the forward was left in the crossfire of an all too public stand-off.
When the summer transfer window shut a year ago, both chairmen acted quickly to defend their stances in the Berahino saga.
In spite of their rebukes, everyone involved came out of this messy affair worse off. Albion were left with the headache of reintegrating a disillusioned youngster whose tweets had enraged a majority of people attached to the club. Whilst in failing to bring in Berahino, Spurs were left light on strikers and would have to rely primarily on Harry Kane for their long campaign. The unprofessional and public handling of the deal also set the tone for Berahino’s misguided tweet.
Tony Pulis
During his time at West Brom, Tony Pulis has had deal with the sideshow of the Berahino saga. As well as dealing with any issues behind the scenes, Pulis has had to field questions about Berahino’s future at every press conference. For the most, it has been an unwelcome distraction for the Welshman.
On the field, it has become clear that Berahino does not fit into a Pulis team. Since the failed move to Tottenham, Berahino has only managed four league goals. He has fallen well behind Salomon Rondon as the first choice striker and – despite the improvement in his attitude – Berahino does not look comfortable in Pulis’s system. The 23-year-old has recently been used in a deeper role but he is a natural goal-scorer and should be looking to get in and around the box.
There has not been a mutually beneficial role for Berahino in Pulis’s side for some time and the form has suffered because of it. Berahino either needs a move to a team that suits his style or he needs a new manager in charge at The Hawthorns who will play to his strengths.
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