Interviews

Veltman: Pervis made an impressive start

Estupinan's contribution against West Ham didn't surprise his defensive team-mate.

By Bruce Talbot • 22 August 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Pervis Estupinan made an impressive Albion debut.

Joel Veltman wasn’t surprised to see fellow defender Pervis Estupinan make such an impressive debut in Sunday’s 2-0 win over West Ham.

The Ecuador international has only been training with the squad for a few days but it was enough to show to Veltman and the rest of the players that Albion have signed another gem.

Estupinan’s calmness in possession and solid defensive work when Albion switched to a back four midway through the second half was among many highlights of our performance at the London Stadium.

"He did an amazing job,” said Veltman. “He doesn't speak that much English but he will learn it quickly as he is in England now and he also has some Spanish guys who will teach him as well. On the ball he is amazing, we could see that straight away when he trained with us. 

“He nearly got an assist for Solly but he helped us especially when we had possession and also because Leandro Trossard could go further forward. When you have four against three midfielders you always find the spare guy, and of course not long after he came on Leo got his goal.”

Sunday’s win made it seven points from our first three games ahead of Saturday’s Amex showdown with Leeds which will see fifth take on third. Albion have won two and drawn two since Leeds returned to the Premier League.

"It is going to be a tough one,” added Veltman. “Leeds we know will come and press us, like Brentford do as well. They are in the top four, they are doing well, but so are we. It will be a nice game."