West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic has insisted that Brazilian maestro Matheus Pereira is still enjoying his football despite the rough treatment he has been receiving according to the Express & Star.
Pereira has been a revelation since arriving on loan from Sporting Lisbon and is now amongst one of the first names on the teamsheet for Bilic’s side however, there have been a number of late challenges on the star in recent weeks.
The Croatian boss believes it is difficult to bring attention to the rough treatment Pereira is getting but insists the media can have a part to play.
“What can I do?” Bilic said. “It’s more what the media can do than me. But what is happening is part and parcel of football, it happens to good players.”
“He likes to keep the ball, sometimes he likes to keep it a bit longer and that gives opponents a chance to get to him, to foul him. He’s the kind of player that when he’s your player, the crowd loves him.”
“When he’s an opposing player, the opposing crowd they hate him. But he’s enjoying it and he’s enjoying life here also.”
The Brazilian-born Pereira is renowned for his silky skills and quality technical ability and this is becoming made more aware of by the opposition. West Brom have the chance to sign him for £8.25million with personal terms believed to having already been agreed.
Close friend and teammate Filip Krovinovic also arrived on loan in the summer transfer window and along with Pereira, the duo have settled in seamlessly.
“Somebody mentioned the other day how extraordinary it is that a few of the guys have settled so quickly,” Bilic continued.
“A very experienced guy at the club, the kit man, said it’s amazing. He said he’s seen some really top players coming into this league and they needed six months to gel. But we have Filip Krovinovic and we have Pereira.”
