While West Bromwich Albion are currently benefitting from the new teachings of Carlos Corberan, the Midlands outfit have been quite temperamental when it has come to incomings and outgoings across the past few years.

There have been some impressive figures who graced the Hawthorns through shrewd enough business, but whether it be a lack of pull or a lack of foresight, these have only been fleeting.

However, arguably the most notable blunder of all was their failure to push for Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry after Tony Pulis infamously branded him as not good enough for the Baggies.

His exact quotes from 2015 were:

“Serge has come here to play games but he just hasn’t been for me, at the moment, at that level to play the games. 

“He’s come from academy football and not played much league football — does academy football really prepare players for league football? And we’re talking about Premier League football here.

“As a manager, you pick a team that’s going to win a game of football. You pick your best team."

Serge Gnabry from this World Cup

The German featured just three times whilst on loan under Pulis before returning to the Emirates in 2016, where he was eventually sold to Werder Bremen.

It was here where he would begin the revival of his career, proving so many people wrong as he earned his move to Bayern Munich, where he now boasts 74 goals and 49 assists across 194 matches.

The 27-year-old has become an integral cog in the German giants’ side, starring on either flank with his blistering speed, quick feet and lethal finish.

This form has since been translated into international football too, where he boasts 20 goals in just 38 caps and has featured heavily at this current World Cup.

Having impressed in his opening game against Japan despite their loss, Gnabry suffered a quieter game as they kept their hopes of qualification alive with a late equaliser against Spain.

This has levelled out to a 6.75 average Sofascore rating, where he proves himself to be a constant threat no matter the opposition.

As well as recording 4 shots, 1 key passes and 1 big chances created per game (via Sofascore), the wide man is not afraid of offering some defensive cover too despite his incredible talent.

He has also averaged 1.5 tackles and 1.0 clearances per game too.

However, what is arguably most impressive is his 100% dribble success rate, which has been something he has excelled at throughout his career.

To watch Gnabry’s meteoric rise that started in the Midlands is a frustrating sight for all those involved in the deal, as he was clearly out of favour in north London.

They were handed the perfect opportunity to mould their own global superstar but passed it up on Pulis’ recommendation.

It stands as one of the worst takes in recent history, as his performances in Qatar only exacerbate just how wrong he was.