Aston Villa bought James Chester from West Bromwich Albion during the summer transfer window.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis once told the Birmingham Mail that Steve Bruce’s words about James Chester were a major reason behind why he brought the centre-back to the Hawthorns.
Pulis signed Chester from Hull back in 2015 for the Baggies, and any doubts he had over bringing the defender in were cast aside by Bruce’s words.
“From the people I spoke to, like Steve Bruce and people in the Welsh party. They speak very highly of him,” Pulis said.
“Steve especially gave him a great mention and there is no better accolade than Steve Bruce giving a defender a good drum roll.”
Unfortunately for Chester, his move to West Brom did not work out as desired.
The former Manchester United man failed to break into the Baggies’ team during his time with the Midlands club and ended up moving to Villa last summer.
As fate has turned out, Chester will now link up with Bruce again – after the 55-year-old agreed to take over from Roberto Di Matteo.
Bruce brought the very best out of Chester at Hull, and the pair will be hoping that their partnership is similarly as effective this time around.
Chester has made 10 appearances for Villa so far, and could feature in Bruce’s first match in charge of the claret and blues, which comes against Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow.
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