Gruda: I want teammates to enjoy being on the pitch with me

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Midfielder says he's 'reloaded' for new season.

Nick Szczepanik

2025-09-02T19:00+01:00

Brajan Gruda scored two goals last week - one in the Carabao Cup and another in the win over Manchester City. 📷 by James Boardman.

Brajan Gruda left the pitch after the 2-1 victory over Manchester City to applause from Albion fans, and left the Amex with the praise of head coach Fabian Hurzeler ringing in his ears.

After enjoying the cheers from the North Stand after the final whistle, the Germany under-21 star was told by journalists that Hurzeler had said he could be ‘a difference-maker in any team in the world.’

“I didn't hear it [until] now, but now when you say it, I'm going to see it on my phone maybe, or probably my friends will send me this,” he said. “But if my gaffer says this or anybody else, it gives me confidence. I'm still going to give 100 percent when I play, when I don't play, when I come in and in training always.”

Gruda, 21, was certainly a difference-maker against City. His introduction as part of a quadruple substitution provided a surge of energy to the side, and his winning goal brought the house down, as he took Kaoru Mitoma’s through pass, rounded goalkeeper James Trafford and defender Rayan Ait-Nouri and rolled the ball into the net.

“That was an amazing game, amazing moment,” he said. “Of course, I'm very happy. It was an amazing feeling, I think, for me and for everybody.

“It's my first goal here [at the Amex]. The crowd was so loud, and it was a great feeling for me. I always try to enjoy myself on the pitch. And I hope everybody who sees me playing enjoys it as well. And has fun when I play.”

The goal was not completely unlike a chance that he created for himself in the Carabao Cup victory away to Oxford United, when he also went round the goalkeeper, but failed to find a scoring shot, although he did net with what looked a harder chance a few minutes later.

“Yeah, of course they're a bit similar,” he said. “But I talked to all the guys here in the team, and we talked a lot about this situation. And now I've done it better than against Oxford. And yeah, we're happy.”

Brajan Gruda beat Rayan Ait-Nouri and James Trafford before passing the ball into the bottom corner. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

In both games, he was playing in a central attacking role rather than on the right, where he made most of his early Albion appearances. “For me it doesn't matter if I play on the right, if I play number ten,” he said. “I just want to play, and I don't care where I play. But now I’m playing ten, and when I play ten I have scored two goals. Maybe it's better than as a right winger, I don't know!”

Last season, his first with the club since his move from Mainz, was tough at times. Although he made 25 appearances, all but eight came off the bench and his first goal did not arrive until three games from the end of the campaign, in the 2-0 win at Wolves.

“I’m now one year here,” he said. “It was always a dream to play in England. But in the beginning it was very, very hard for me, especially a new country and a new club: everything was new for me. So of course you need adaptation. And now it's a new season and now I'm 100 percent reloaded, I can say.

“Now I have to prove it on the pitch. You have to be consistent in the training every day, and to be focused every day. And of course on the pitch it's the most important thing.

“I think in my situation it's very good timing now. Of course you need luck. But luck doesn't come by itself. You need to work hard, and if you work hard, I believe everything comes how you want it.”