Interviews

De Zerbi: Mitoma is crucial to this team

Winger in good form ahead of Palace match.

By Charlie Hanson • 14 March 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Kaoru Mitoma set-up Alexis Mac Allister to put Albion in front against Leeds on Saturday.

Kaoru Mitoma is one of our most important players according to head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

The Japan international has been involved in three goals (two assists, one goal) in his last two matches, taking his tally up to six goals and three assists in the Premier League this season.

The form of the 25-year-old means the Italian is keen to keep his winger at the club for the foreseeable future.

By Paul Hazlewood
Roberto De Zerbi has hailed Kaoru Mitoma as a 'crucial' member of his squad.

“Mitoma is a crucial part of the team for us because one-against-one in the last 25 metres, he’s one of the most important players,” Roberto said. “For him it’s the first year in the Premier League, it’s important for us, but also for him it’s important for him to play another year with us.

“We don’t have time to speak about the transfer market because we have another three months to play and for us to reach our targets.”

Adam Lallana will definitely be an Albion player next season after signing his new one-year deal on Monday.

By Paul Hazlewood
Adam Lallana signed a new one-year contract on Monday, much to the delight of his head coach.

De Zerbi couldn’t be happier to see the former Liverpool man commit his future to the club, seeing him as a vital cog in the dressing room.

“I am really pleased for Adam. It’s an honour to be his coach, but it’s an honour for our players to play with Adam and for the club to have someone in the team who is so good, important and with that level of experience.

“He’s a positive guy and a very important player. It’s unlucky that he’s injured and I don’t know if he’ll be able to play this season but inside of the team we lost an important player because he’s unique. His quality is different than the other players in our squad, but we can play in another way.”