M&M’s for Albion on deadline day

West Brom added two players to the ranks on a weather hit deadline day, bringing Juan Carlos Menseguez and Youssouf Mulumbu in on loan deals.

Speculation over both arrivals had occurred prior to the Monday deadline, although any deal for Mulumbu was thought to be dead in the water following his signing of a contract extension with parent club Paris Saint-Germain.

The 22 year old Democratic Republic of Congo defensive midfielder is highly regarded in the game, with 8 caps for the African nation as well as a Toulon Tournament winners medal from his time with the French U21 side. However Mowbray has suggested that he will go into the reserves with a view to a permanent transfer and progression into the first team during the summer and next season. As he is primarily a defensive midfielder however, he could provide some much needed cover in that area of the pitch, as Albion currently have a mile-long injury list, dominated by defensive players.

The other loanee, Juan Carlos Menseguez, is an Argentinean winger-cum-striker signed from San Lorenzo, also with a view to becoming permanent in the summer. He has got previous European experience from three seasons at German club Wolfsburg. He has not been prolific at any of his clubs, but like Mulumbu comes with a reputation courtesy of his football apprenticeship at River Plate.

Mowbray has admitted that the Menseguez signing was a gamble, having never seen him play, but was recommended to us by coach at Wolfsburg. Juan Carlos will go straight into the first team squad and may start the weekend`s game at home to Newcastle. It is hoped he can have a similar impact to that of Mauro Zárate, the Argentinean who signed on loan for the Blues a year ago, and after impressing there is currently banging in the goals in Serie A for Lazio.

All in all a good day’s work for chairman Jeremy Peace and manager Mowbray, who persevere with the sensible tactic of recruiting players on loan-to-permanent deals, which motivates the players into earning their move whilst risking little capital up front. Hopefully these two will have fruitful spells at B71 – welcome to the club.