Interviews

Undav: Mitoma is doing an unbelievable job

Striker played with Japan international at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last season.

By Charlie Hanson • 06 February 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Kaoru Mitoma netted a late winner against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Deniz Undav reckons that with Kaoru Mitoma in the team Albion's strikers can expect five or six goalscoring opportunities a game.

The Japan international scored the winner in a tight 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, while Deniz came in for his first Premier League start since arriving in the summer.

Having played together at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last season, the German striker has seen a big improvement in Kaoru’s game this campaign.

“He has made a big, big step this season. His one-v-one is even better than it was in Belgium. He knows when to pass, when to go one-v-one, and I think we can all agree he is doing an unbelievable job for the team and he makes a difference.

02:18

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PL Highlights: Albion 1 Bournemouth 0

“He scored again even though he didn't have his best game. He is in a rhythm right now and I hope he continues this.

“He wins his duels most of the time. I just need to be in the right place at the right time and when the ball is there for me I need to finish it. With him you may get five or six chances each game. Next time I will try to score when he is in this position again.”

The 26-year-old had a glorious opportunity to open his goalscoring account in the Premier League on Saturday, but saw a hat-trick of efforts blocked, parried and smack off the post.

“I am angry I didn't score, I needed to score, it should have been a goal. Apart from this, the most important thing is to help the team. I think I did a good job, I could do better but maybe with time it will be better than Saturday, we shall see.

03:04

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Undav: I want to fight for my place

“If I had three or four more games in the legs then it will be different and it would benefit me and the team. Now is the time to work even harder. Maybe next week I will get the same chance as today and maybe then I will score.

“The support from the fans has been really nice. I am working really hard, I have been trying for months to get my first start in the Premier League and finally I got it and to play in front of the home fans it is always good.

“They pushed us, they helped us and I am happy we got the three points so they could go home happy.”