Slaven Bilic happy to keep Kamil Grosicki at West Brom
Albion boss Slaven Bilic says he is pleased to have Kamil Grosicki back in his squad after the winger’s move to Nottingham Forest collapsed.
Chris Hughton’s side swooped to sign the Poland international on deadline day with Grosicki agreeing terms on a loan move that could have led to a permanent transfer.
But it was later revealed the paperwork for the deal was submitted 21 seconds after the 5pm deadline.
That meant it was up to the EFL board as to determine if the move could be ratified – with Forest instructing lawyers to help their case.
But Albion kept the door open for Grosicki if the move did fall through, with the club submitting just 24 names when they had to inform the Premier League of their 25 man squad.
And now the move has collapsed, Grosicki has been added into that squad and can feature for the Baggies once again.
“I felt sorry for him because he’s a great lad and a great professional,” Bilic said when asked how he feels about Grosicki’s move collapsing.
“We’re not overloaded with players.
“I said at the time why we were willing to let him go was because we had to offload some players, to bring some players in in very important positions.
“For Grosicki, it’s taken a little bit longer for his case to be resolved, or solved, but of course he’s going to be included.
“We saved that space for him.
“As I say, we’re not overloaded in any positions, especially this one.
“He’s an international player, he’s proven in the Premier League.
“He’s played in the World Cup and big tournaments. He’s still in the first XI for Poland.
“He’s going to be included and it’s entirely down to him how much he’s going to play, or be involved.
“Do I like him as a player? Yes I like him a lot. I like him when he’s on fire and top form, then he’s very very valuable for us.
“So I’m glad that he stayed.”
Bilic said the only reason the club sanctioned the sale of Grosicki was to try and help raise funds to buy Karlan Grant from Huddersfield.
“Kamil is a big boost for us,” the head coach continued.
“The reason why I was willing to let him go was because we needed to bring Grant in.
“That was the position we really needed – a priority.
“So it had nothing to do with football. He’s a good player, proven in the Premier League and we don’t have too many of those players.
“We’re not overloaded in the positions where he can play. We kept that space in the roster for him, in our squad. Welcome back.”
