Gross: I want to have positive influence on Brajan Gruda

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Albion legend hoping to have positive impact on fellow German.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-01-07T06:00+00:00

Brajan Gruda has made 16 Premier League appearances so far this campaign. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Pascal Gross says that he hopes to have a positive influence on fellow German Brajan Gruda after rejoining the club from Borussia Dortmund.

The 34-year-old revealed after the 2-0 home win over Burnley that he had watched most of the club’s matches while he was in Germany, and he believes that Gruda needs to show more consistency if he is to unlock his potential.

The Germany U21 forward joined Albion from Mainz in August 2024. In 42 appearances – 25 as a substitute – Gruda has scored three goals, most eye-catchingly the winner against Wednesday’s opponents Manchester City at the Amex in August.

Brajan Gruda joined Albion from Mainz in summer 2024. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“I already said to him I'll try to help him as much as I can,” Gross said. “I tried to help [Stuttgart and Germany striker] Deniz Undav when he was here.

“I helped him obviously at the beginning because it's not easy to go abroad. Maybe sometimes it's a bit of misunderstanding, a bit of communication.”

Undav was 25 when he arrived in Sussex from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, while Gruda is still only 21, and Gross spoke of him having “a lot of potential. I'll just try to make him feel comfortable, to feel himself, so that he has confidence.