Borja Valero will come good, says Jonathan Greening

Aug 28 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

NEW signing Borja Valero has been tipped to have the same impact at Albion as injured team-mate Filipe Teixeira.

Baggies captain Jonathan Greening believes Albion’s record signing will pick up where Teixeira left off last season, before his season was ruined by a major knee injury.

Borja had a tough baptism of fire in Tuesday’s Carling Cup defeat to Hartlepool, but Greening feels the midfielder can make a huge impact in the top flight.

“Filipe was a big influence for us last season until he got injured - hopefully Borja can settle in quick and start enjoying his football,” said Greening.

“I think he can have a big impact like Filipe.

“He must be a good player because the gaffer has been tracking him for a while.

“You don’t play for Real Madrid and have a transfer fee of more than £4million if you’re not a good player.

“And I’m sure the fans will see good things from him.”

Greening believes Tuesday night’s Victoria Ground experience will was a useful rough guide to English football.

“It was a tough start for him and I said to him before the game he probably won’t know what’s hit him playing Hartlepool away,” added Greening.

“But I thought he showed technically what a good player he is on the ball and the more he plays in England the better he will become.

“He got a few whacks – welcome to English football - but other than that he did really well and I’m pleased for him.

“When he learns the language it will be even better for him.

“The English league is a tough league and the gaffer will give him plenty of time because he is a good technical player.”