Zamora: Roberto De Zerbi has been unbelievable

As a prolific scorer himself Bobby Zamora knows only too well the importance of goals.

And the former Albion striker says the number we netted last season – 72 in the Premier League and 91 in all competitions – was the most impressive aspect of our record-breaking campaign.

Zamora, who reached the Europa League final with another of his former clubs Fulham, also believes Albion have the squad depth to cope with the challenge of European football for the first time this season.

“It was a remarkable season,” said Zamora, who scored 90 goals in 162 Albion appearances across two spells. “Did I envisage European football? Probably not. But Roberto De Zerbi has been unbelievable.

“For me, probably the biggest thing is the number of goals we’ve scored. The football has been free-flowing and [goals have come] from many different areas of the pitch. It’s just down to confidence, which I know well as a striker is so important. There isn’t pressure on a single player to deliver the goals, that makes a massive difference to a squad.

“There is a certain way Roberto wants to build up play, he wants the players to take risks and he has given them the confidence and belief to do that, to wait for the opposition to press and then to play through the lines.

“I went to watch training last season and I saw that he is so confident about his style of work. There is no one on the pitch who doesn’t understand what his job is, and that gives the players confidence.

“Roberto came in with a different way of playing and has absolutely astonished everyone, in terms of how much the players have brought into the way he plays, his methodology and of course his passion. The players adore him.”

Zamora also admires that the Italian wasn’t afraid to give young players an opportunity and says the experience they gained could prove vital this season, when De Zerbi wants the team to be competitive in all four competitions they enter.

“Roberto has been fantastic in giving opportunities to young players,” added Zamora. “It’s going to be harder next season with Europa League football so they will get their chance and that’s why it’s so important that everyone understands the system because it will make it so much easier for players coming into the team that they know their roles.”