Pele faces fight for place
Boss Tony Mowbray today warned Pele he can't expect to walk straight into his Albion side.
Pele became the Baggies' ninth summer signing yesterday, signing a two year contract, with a further year in the club's favour, after they agreed a £1m fee with Southampton.
The 29-year-old - full name Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro - has been brought in with a defensive midfielder role in mind.
But although Mowbray believes Pele, who will wear the No.26 shirt, will help improve the balance of the side, he has warned the Portugal-born player that he faces a battle with Richard Chaplow for the role.
"Pele brings some ingredients our team needed," said Mowbray.
"He is an addition to the squad and will bring experience and quality - both in and out of possession.
"We saw him last season do a job for a Southampton side that played good football.
"His athleticism and passing ability will also increase the competition for places in midfield.
"I think he will fit into our squad nicely. We've got to utilise him right and use the assets he brings and make sure the team functions.
"He has got to go and compete for his position in the team first and foremost.
"Since the New Year young Richard Chaplow, and great credit to him, has almost made that role his own at the club and we just needed to create some competition for places in all areas.
"I want it so no-one is guaranteed a place and has to fight every day in training to make sure they catch the manager's eye to get in the side for the weekend."
Pele only joined the Saints from homeland club Belenenses last summer, making his debut at Derby in their opening fixture.
After starting in central defence he earned rave reviews for his performances in midfield and was called up for international football by the Cape Verde Islands.
In total, Pele made 44 appearances for Southampton, including three as sub, with his solitary goal coming in a 2-0 home victory over Leicester in December.
