Scout Report – Saido Berahino

Saido Berahino

The start of the 2011-12 season saw Berahino further his reputation- scoring 10 goals in 22 games out on loan at Northampton and Brentford (the latter loan spell ending abruptly for “personal reasons”).

However, the arrival of Steve Clarke as West Bromwich Albion Manager at the start of the 2012/13 season provided Berahino with the first team opportunities he needed to impress at the Hawthorns.

Clarke provided Berahino with a debut against Yeovil in the Carling Cup for the first team- before Berahino spent a valuable time out on loan in the Championship with Peterborough, managing to grab a couple of goals in limited appearances for the struggling Championship outfit.

Then his big break in the Albion First Team came at the start of the 13/14 season- and Berahino has taken it with both hands.

Given a rare start against Newport County in the Capital One Cup, Berahino raced to a first half hat-trick (including one scorching drive into the top corner from the edge of the box)- and spring-boarded his way into first team plans.

Following a few substitute appearances in every one of Albion’s Premier League games this season, Berahino got his chance when brought on for the injured Scott Sinclair- ten minutes into the Baggies remarkable Old Trafford win, and the rest as they say is history.

From Burundi to Birmingham, from Phoenix United to England under-21s and from no where to scoring the winner at Old Trafford. Berahino’s spectacular winner in many ways represents somewhat of a symbolic pinnacle- but those around the club and who know him well know that he is capable of so much more.

West Bromwich Albion legend (and ironically scorer in West Brom’s last win at Old Trafford) Cyrille Regis spoke to the Express and Star on Albion’s new gem…

“I know him well, I like him. He knows where the goal is and he’s got talent.

We all love young players coming through the ranks and making their way. He’s been out on loan, he’s been learning and improving and now he’s getting into the team and making an impact. Yes, he’s got genuine talent and we’re beginning to see the fruits of that talent and ability.

Now he’s still got some way to go. Let’s remember that and for Saido himself there is the big next question – can he go up another level? Can he deal with the expectation that will come now? Can he get a run in the side, a starting position, and hold his place? This the next challenge for him. That’s the next level.

It’s tough because Albion have now got quite a group of strikers – Anelka, Long, Vydra, Rosenberg, Sessegnon, Anichebe and he’s the young lad coming through. Its great credit to him that he’s actually got on to the pitch with that sort of competition around him.”

It seems the sky could be the limit for this young man, whose footballing journey has taken him from Burundi to Birmingham. As a West Bromwich Albion supporter, I can only hope that he continues his remarkable development- because we have quite a talent on our hands. Rumours have it that Everton and notorious youth snatchers Arsenal are in for the young man from Africa.

One thing that is for sure however is that Berahino has the ability to continue his meteoric rise to the top, and cement his place there for good.

Watch his hattrick against Newport County AFC,