West Bromwich Albion

Nicolas Anelka cleaned out his locker on Thursday morning at West Bromwich Albion's training ground and was granted compassionate leave by the club following the death of his close friend and one of his agents, Eric Manasse. That much is 100 percent certain.

A step into the unknown for West Brom and their 69-cap French international striker, however, is what comes next, with Anelka having seemingly mentioned in that moment that he would be retiring.

In Albion boss Steve Clarke's pre-match press conference on Friday, when asked if the 34-year-old had indeed said he planned to retire, Clarke, as reported by BBC Sport, said:

I'm not going to deny that he used that word.

But we've given him time to go away and think about it. I don't think we could do more in the circumstances.

I went in and had a very brief chat with him, and he wasn't in a good place. So the club have decided just to give him a bit of time to go away and think about it and get himself in a better place for the future.

That is as much as there is to tell on the situation. It wasn't dramatic, there was no big bust-up, he didn't storm out of the training ground. It is just a boy who is really quite upset. 

Subsequently, Anelka hasn't been seen at the Hawthorns since and was, as expected, missing for his side's 0-0 draw at Everton on Saturday.

But what next for the mercurial Frenchman?

Some, such as French football journalist Julien Laurens, have sought to verify Anelka's future:

Others, Albion fans in particular, have voiced their opinions via social media and football phone-ins. The underlying tone has simply been that they want him back as soon as he's ready. 

Not the quicksilver striker he once was, Anelka has become a more intelligent, refined footballer in his latter years, and his arrival in preseason was cause for Hawthorns-goers to get excited.

The searing pace which once terrorised offside traps may be no longer, but the brain and touch remain as sharp as ever. His Premier League debut for Albion may not have gone to plan, as a rather docile performance saw them beaten 1-0 by Southampton, but there's no doubt that Anelka remains important to Steve Clarke's side and their ambitions over the course of the 2013-14 campaign.

Signed indirectly as a replacement for 17-goal Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Chelsea after his season-long loan deal in the Midlands, Anelka's performances in preseason were encouraging: Intelligently finding space, linking play, while also adding a genuine cutting edge, with seven goals in as many preseason games.

Now without him for an indefinite period, Clarke finds himself in a tricky situation; rather like a man playing Blackjack who has just made 14 when the dealer is showing a 10, does he stick with what he's got or does he hit and hope for more?

The summer transfer window has seen Clarke add Anelka, defenders Goran Popov and Diego Lugano and forwards Matej Vydra and Scott Sinclair to his squad. Two free transfers and three loan deals—contrast that with the likes of Southampton and Cardiff City's summer spending.

Given Anelka's absence and the idea that Peter Odemwingie remains on his way out—though curiously hasn't gone yet—Clarke remains in need of forward options, most notably a genuine No. 9. Ireland international Shane Long and Markus Rosenberg remain from last season as the two main contenders for the role, though question marks remain over both: for the latter over whether he simply has the required quality and Long as to his ability to be a decisive enough goalscorer, having netted just eight league goals in each of the last two seasons. 

Vydra, whose goalscoring exploits lit up the Championship last season, should prove an intelligent support striking option with his awareness and touch, but can he replicate his work at Watford in the Premier League? Sinclair meanwhile offers pace and directness from the flanks, something Albion have been lacking.

Thus in the absence of Anelka—perhaps even with Anelka, should he return—Albion appear in need of another centre-forward, such has been the goal-shy nature of their opening two matches.

Now with the news that goalkeeper Ben Foster will be missing for 12 weeks through injury, as reported by the club's official website, the Baggies have genuine concerns at both ends. Short on goals at one end and missing an outstanding goalkeeper at the other, at what point do last year's eighth place finishers become potential relegation candidates?

Steve Clarke and his board need to come up with a solution quickly. Spending money is no guarantee in the Premier League, something that a chairman as shrewd with finances as West Brom's Jeremy Peace will be quick to tell you. Finding market value has long been his modus operandi, but in the light of recent events both on and off the field, that may need to change as the transfer window reaches its climax.

The only guarantee in football is that scoring goals helps you win games. The more goals you score, the higher the probability that you win. At present, and not merely in light of the Anelka situation, goalscoring on a regular basis looks very much a problem for West Bromwich Albion.

West Bromwich Albion have signed Scott Sinclair on season-long loan with an eye acquiring the Manchester City attacker on a permanent basis in the future.

Sinclair, 24, joins Diego Lugano and Nicolas Anelka among manager Steve Clarke’s summer signings, and with confusion swirling over Anelka’s situation following the death of the Frenchman’s agent, the Baggies moved quickly to bring in the 2012 Olympian.

“We’re delighted [Sinclair] feels this is the right club for him at this stage of his career,” Clarke told the club’s official website on Thursday afternoon. “Scott understands he needs to play football and it will be good to work with him again.”

Clarke and Sinclair worked together over two years at Chelsea while the former served as assistant manager and the latter attempted to nail down a starting position, eventually being loaned out on four occasions.

West Brom will be the seventh club at which Sinclair has played on a loan basis. The club are understood to be paying his full wage packet.

Just last year the left-sided forward—who represented Great Britain at the London Olympics—joined City for £8 million following a successful, two-year spell at Swansea. But he made only 14 appearances in all competitions for the Eastlands side—many of them from the bench—and failed to find the back of the net over the course of the campaign.

“He is frustrated he did not get the chances to play at Man City last season and hopefully he will take those frustrations out on Premier League defenders this season,” remarked Clarke, adding, “He is a pure winger who is quick, direct and scores goals. He has proven that over his career.”

Sinclair will be included in the team Clarke takes to Everton for Saturday’s match at Goodison Park, and given Anelka’s absence on compassionate grounds, it’s likely he will see some playing time as well.

On Wednesday the Daily Mail reported the 34-year-old had cleared out his locker after training and was “deliberating his future in football.”

Providing the young Belgian international with his first real bite of the Premier League cherry, the 2012-13 season was a breakout period for Romelu Lukaku.

Farmed out to West Brom on loan for the campaign, Steve Clarke’s side benefitted from the temporary deal as much as the young striker, climbing to a top-half finish and Lukaku bagging an impressive 17 league goals.

However, with that reliable presence now absent from the Baggies' lineup and Lukaku back with his parent club, just who can be expected to make up those duties in his absence?

Having overachieved by some margin last term, the West Midlands outfit have a heavy cross to bear in the 2013-14 season and have two weeks of the transfer window left to strengthen if needs be.

However, there are other forward assets at the Hawthorns with reason to believe that this season could be just as fruitful, as long as they’re up to the challenge.

Shane Long

With Lukaku in the frame last season, Shane Long was forced to accommodate Steve Clarke’s loan signing for long stretches of last season.

Shifted out wide or relegated to a substitute's role, the Republic of Ireland international did however manage to match his eight-goal tally from the 20111-12 Premier League campaign.

Now the longest-serving striker in the West Brom ranks, Long will be looked upon as the most synchronised asset and a player now entering what should be the prime of his career.

Upon his arrival from Reading two summers ago, a lot was expected of the nippy forward, expectations he perhaps hasn’t quite lived up to, but there’s still time to change that.

Long does well in not just getting into good scoring positions but also providing for his teammates and bringing the likes of James Morrison and Chris Brunt into the attack.

With Peter Odemwingie’s involvement at the Hawthorns still up for debate, it’s likely that Long will be Clarke’s go-to option up front, and a prolific season is needed from the 26-year-old.

Nicolas Anelka

Aged and weary, maybe, but Nicolas Anelka’s return to the English top flight will undoubtedly reap rewards for Steve Clarke after the Scotsman handed the former French international his Premier League lifeline.

Since arriving at the Hawthorns, Anelka has had a fairly prolific preseason and almost represents the exact opposite to Lukaku in terms of a team presence.

Whereas Lukaku was young and still finding himself as a player, Anelka is experienced and will add something to the Baggies’ dressing room, more due to his prestige than actual voice.

When it comes to on-the-pitch matters, though, the Frenchman’s modus operandi is fairly similar. Now lacking the speed of his former self, Anelka’s priorities will lie in link-up play mostly, although a player such as him never loses that scoring touch.

Instead of the star qualities Lukaku so evidently has, it’s clear that West Brom will be looking for a much more collaborative feel to their attack this year, the talent being spread across several promising players.

Matej Vydra

Having enjoyed a prolific time on loan at Watford last season, Udinese’s Matej Vydra now takes things up a gear after BBC Sport announced the forward would be heading to the West Midlands, once more on loan.

The Serie A club are obviously keen to hang on to the promising youngster in the long run, and for good reason too, considering his 20 goals and nine assists in just 27 Championship starts last term.

However, the first tier is that extra step up in terms of quality, and Vydra may not receive the same prominence in Clarke’s first team as Lukaku did.

That’s not to say the Czech attacker can’t make the step up, but merely that it will take more for the youngster to make that initial impression.

As a result of Long, Anelka and Odemwingie’s presence, it’s also likely that Vydra will be shifted about and pushed out wide on occasion as opposed to being given his natural striking position on a consistent basis.

According to the Express & Star, Matej Vydra has been in talks to sign a season-long loan deal with West Bromwich Albion this week—just in time for the new 2013-14 Premier League season.

Now the club have confirmed the deal, and at long last Steve Clarke has acted to add some firepower up front.

Loanee Romelu Lukaku was a resounding success last season, notching 17 goals and four assists in just 20 league starts and single-handedly revamping the West Brom forward line.

He gave Clarke the option to play 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or even 4-4-2, as his physicality, blend of skills and beast-like playing style opened up so many avenues to work with.

In Vydra, West Brom won't be getting that, but they've still secured themselves a top-notch signing at a bargain price.

Their new Czech Republic international is a pure speedster, but unlike many in that ilk—Gabby Agbonlahor and Theo Walcott, for example—he has an understanding of the game that belies his years.

Extremely quick young players often take several seasons to build an innate decision-making process that enables them to assess their options at full speed, but Vydra is already capable.

That alone suggests he's set to blossom quickly with more first-team football—particularly at the highest level—and his rapid rise from Jihlava to Udinese in just three years supports that theory.

He's a clever player, and from his 22-goal haul for Watford last season, we were able to deduce a lot.

Aside from the obvious searing pace, he's able to bend his runs to ensure he stays onside and retains exemplary close control when dribbling through on goal—again, an appreciation for what both the ball-player and the defensive line are doing simultaneously.

Again, for the basis of comparison, Fraizer Campbell's second touch when going one vs. one with Gorka Iraizoz here is awful, and it's clear his technical ability does not match his physicals.

Technically Vydra does seem capable, and although he'll need to work hard to adapt, he's got several factors working to his advantage.

Shane Long is a rather similar players—both appear classic poachers on the surface—and Long has carved out a successful Premier League career. Vydra will be able to take a lot from Long on the training ground, and it will only be a few months until he usurps him.

The Czech forward can also play from the right side, enabling he and Nicolas Anelka to team up in Clarke's favoured 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations.

Playing him as a No. 10 may be too much too soon, but given his track record for rapid growth and development, it may not be long before he can fulfill such a role.

The Baggies have secured a great signing on the cheap, and their strike force looks complete. It's taken a little longer than fans will have wanted, but Clarke has pulled a masterstroke with five days to spare.

Nicolas Anelka has completed a shock move to West Bromwich Albion, according to the BBC, signing a one-year deal with the Midlands outfit.

Steve Clarke's side put in a series of excellent performances to finish in the top half of the English Premier League last season, and the Scot will be looking to find the right players to build from such a solid platform.

Romelu Lukaku was a standout performer at the Hawthorns last season thanks to his creativity, pace and finishing ability. With the 20-year-old heading back to Chelsea after the culmination of his loan spell, the Baggies needed to secure a high-profile signing to lead the forward line.

Lukaku was their "X-factor" and trump card—a soon-to-be elite player capable of making the difference in any given game. After an early spell on the substitute's bench, the Belgian regained his sharpness and became an instant starter and fan favourite.

A 17-goal haul is remarkably difficult to replace in the current climate without spending big money, and in an effort to become self-sustainable and debt free, chairman Jeremy Peace has largely avoided high-profile deals.

Anelka seems to be the compromise, tasked with replicating the excitement and vigour Lukaku brought under the favourable pretence of a free transfer.

The journeyman striker has taken in spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus to name a few and now claims he wants to finish his career at WBA.

The big question in West Bromwich is whether or not the motivation is there.

At 34 years of age, he's seen and done it all. He's even been to China, with Shanghai Shenhua, to sample the delights of East Asian football. He says he wants to retire in England, but what does he bring to the table here and now?

His pedigree is unquestioned, while he's always been technically very sound. Smart, intelligent players survive for long periods in the game, and the Frenchman will feel he has a good year left.

But coming off the back of a five-month spell at Juventus, in which he made three substitute appearances and no starts, how willing will he be to put in the hard yards and do the gritty work?

Clarke demands high work rates and good spirit, and it's not often Anelka finds himself plying his trade for a club not right at the top of the game.

This will be a sensible, risk-free signing on West Brom's part: He's a free transfer and they simply don't pay inflated wages. The concern, though, is that Clarke has identified Anelka as his next "X-factor"—if he doesn't succeed, the club cannot improve.

On paper, it remains a coup, regardless of his age, but Anelka will be watched with intrigue by many eagle-eyed fans around the world.

Whether he's the new Lukaku or just the prelude to a bigger and more commanding signing, we cannot be certain. At the very least, the Baggies have secured themselves a very serviceable forward on the cheap.

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West Bromwich Albion announced on their official site that striker Peter Odemwingie was disciplined for attempting to sign with Queens Park Rangers during the January transfer window.

While the club did not identify the punishment, the BBC reported that Odemwingie was fined two weeks worth of wages for the incident. The two sides had not reached an agreement when he showed up at Loftus Road on the final day of the transfer period.

Odemwingie released the following comments as a part of West Brom's official statement after he accepted the punishment, the severity of which remains unconfirmed by the club:

I understand how my actions have been viewed and want to apologise to the club and our supporters for any distress I have caused. I want to reassure everyone at the club and our fans that I will continue to give my all whenever I am selected.

We have enjoyed a good season so far and I aim to play my part in keeping the club as high up the table as possible.

The 31-year-old forward is now cleared to resume practicing with the squad and is available for West Brom's match against Liverpool on Monday. He didn't feature in the club's 1-0 loss to Tottenham immediately following the incident last weekend.

It should mark the end of a bizarre situation. Deadline day is always hectic around Europe with clubs and players trying to finalize agreements before the windows close, but this was an extreme case and therefore forced the Baggies to take action.

Chairman Jeremy Peace made a statement, which was passed along by the Daily Mirror, that was critical of Odemwingie on transfer day and pointed toward the fact that he remains under contract until next summer.

He added the following comments from the original report after the decision of discipline was made public:

This has been an extremely difficult time for the club and it was imperative that we dealt with such a serious matter both fully and correctly. We have made our position very clear throughout—both privately to Peter and publicly. Peter has apologised for his conduct to me personally and the club and our supporters as a whole.

Odemwingie has five goals and three assists in 18 Premier League appearance for West Brom during the current campaign. He joined the Baggies in 2012 after stints with Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia and Lille in France.

With the incident now resolved, Odemwingie and the club can now refocus on the Premier League season. West Brom have lost two straight and continue to fade after a strong start.

On one of the quieter January transfer deadline days in recent history, the biggest story of the day was a transfer that didn't actually happen.

Claiming he had a "gentleman's agreement" (according to The Guardian) with West Brom's technical director Dan Ashworth, striker Peter Odemwingie bid adieu to all staff and players at the club, signed some autographs, gave out some hugs and drove 125 miles south to negotiate a new deal with free-spending Queens Park Rangers.

The 31-year-old had been angling for a move away from the Hawthorns for some time. Last week, he received criticism for a series of tweets he published that overtly suggested his desire for a move to London.

They have since been deleted, but a few remaining tweets summarize his headstrong attitude:

I am crazy haha adviser text saying don't tweet, it weakens our position. Doesn't weaken nothing ! When I want to do something, I Do it.

— Peter Odemwingie (@OdemwingieP) January 26, 2013

I can understand the reaction of few Albion fans on my desire to leave the club.Real reason? Cos they once doubted my commitment. Cantletgo

— Peter Odemwingie (@OdemwingieP) January 26, 2013

As deadline day veered toward its climax, it became clear that Odemwingie did not have the permission of his club to leave and seek a new deal. When he arrived at Loftus Road, he spoke to Sky Sports News and referred to QPR as "we," implying a deal was a few formalities from being completed, according to the Daily Mail. 

But Rangers would not even let him in the building because he did not have permission to be there, nor had any kind of deal been set up.

He then faced the mortifying prospect of driving back up to West Bromwich with his tail between his legs to face the music.

It was a baffling situation. If he has an agent, he definitely needs to find a new one. 

The Baggies issued a statement on Thursday declaring Odemwingie "wholly unprofessional" for his actions (via Sky Sports). 

On Friday, they told the Nigerian not to return to training until next week, and that he will be surplus to requirements for Sunday's match with Tottenham. Speaking outside the West Brom training ground, Odemwingie seemed intent on fanning the flames of indignation, by avoiding an apology and reiterating his desire to leave. From the BBC: 

"I am a very emotional person who sometimes doesn't think," he told Sky Sports News on Friday.

"I will still leave the club. It is only a matter of time."

Odemwingie's lack of remorse and self-serving actions have not only called his professionalism into question, but made him a laughing stock with fans. A cursory image search for his name on Twitter shows he is the target of endless memes.

On the surface, the former Lokotmotiv forward appears to have committed career suicide. But has he actually damaged his career?

The answer is almost certainly "no." 

In any other line of work, leaving a company to force a move to a rival, then coming back hours later with no remorse or desire to stay with the current employer would be tantamount to killing your career. Whatever your town was, you would never work in it again.

But this is football. This is a business that doesn't punish mercenaries. It gives them countless second chances, provided they can perform on the field. 

Take the case of Carlos Tevez. In December 2010 he handed a transfer request to Manchester City while negotiating a new contract. Less than two weeks later, he decided to stay. After refusing to come off the bench in a 2011 Champions League match and jetting to Argentina for many months without permission, he was still welcomed back into the fold, and remains a valuable asset.

In 2012, Clint Dempsey literally refused to play for Fulham, informally announcing that he was heading to Liverpool. That forced move never materialised, but he now thrives at Tottenham. 

In the closing stages of the 2008 summer window, Robinho cried during a meeting with Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, so keen was he to engineer a move to Chelsea. He eventually accepted a bigger deal from Manchester City, but still called them Chelsea during a press conference!

Odemwingie has five goals in 13 league appearances for Steve Clarke's side this season, and played a valuable part in West Brom's impressive pre-Christmas success.

The fact of the matter is that he does not have to prove himself in contract negotiations with club technical directors. He does not need to prove himself on an outspoken social network feed. If he proves himself on the pitch, there will always be a club who will be willing to disregard his off-the-field indiscretions.

If the Russian-born striker has learned anything from this experience, it's that he can count himself lucky that he makes his money in a circus-like industry that turns a blind eye to unprofessional behaviour when the ball keeps hitting the back of the opposition's net.