Mel backs Berahino to have a 'great future'
West Brom head coach Pepe Mel has backed forward Saido Berahino to have a long and fruitful career.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2FDtKPKfWJirecph2HQBwa.jpg)
The 20-year-old has forced his way into the first team this season, scoring five Premier League goals in 29 appearances, including a winning effort against West Ham on Saturday.
Berahino has also been at the centre of controversy after failing to hold onto possession in their match with Cardiff City which resulted in West Brom conceding a last minute equaliser.
Mel kept faith with the forward and it paid dividends as Berahino pounced 11 minutes into Saturday's match at The Hawthorns, and the Spaniard believes he will only get better with more games.
"I spoke at great length with Berahino and he knew that he was going to play," Mel said.
"I think that he's a player with an awful lot of talent and a great future ahead of him."
The victory boosted West Brom's survival hopes as they moved five points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack