Football can be a harsh game and provide players with a real education about not just the sport but about life in general.
And one man that has had it particularly tough during his stint in England is former Spurs winger Nacer Chadli, who joined West Brom last week.
The Belgian international did well for Spurs when given the chance and whilst he didn’t set the world on fire in the way that Gareth Bale did, he was a steady, consistent performer in the top flight. But he never quite had the opportunities to shine that his team-mates did and he was now been moved on to the Midlands.
It’s been tough on the former Twente man, who didn’t do an awful lot wrong at White Hart Lane but that’s football – it’s a results business.
But following his move to the Baggies, many Albion supporters believe Chadli is the man who can turn their fortunes around and make them more than a club who flirts with relegation season-after-season.
So with that in mind, here are three reasons why the Belgian has the potential to turn Spurs’ fortunes around…
His experience
Whilst youthful exuberance and natural talent count for a lot in the modern game, proper footballing experience can be massively important too and Nacer Chadli has that know-how to help West Brom up the table.
He has medals and honors to his name, has played with some of the world’s best and has been managed by some superb managers to boot. If the Baggies were ever looking for a man that knows the game and the league well, then they’ve hit the money here.
Chadli has 335 footballing appearances to his name and that doesn’t lie. He knows what he’s doing and how to succeed.
He has fantastic skill
The Belgian international may not have the pace and directness like some of his colleagues do but he has bags and bags of skill that most wingers would dream of having in their locker.
It’s not particularly flashy, nor attention grabbing but he’s fitted it into his game subtly, like a midfielder would pass the ball for example. It’s this natural talent, this natural skill that will give West Brom another dimension going forward.
Most Football League and lower level forwards have pace but to have skill that they can use in their game time and time again is what makes them a top player.
Fantastic work ethic
Unless there is another Leicester City-esque story bubbling at the Hawthorns, you’d normally associate the Baggies as a side with plenty of endeavor and work ethic. They have to be in order to survive.
And former Twente man Chadli fits that bill fantastically well as well as offering the silky attacking side of his game that we’ve come to expect.
Having a top player who is prepared and ready to take on defenders at every opportunity is fantastic, but having one that is willing to chase back is just as important too.