Tony Pulis asks West Brom fans to be patient with £15m Oliver Burke
Tony Pulis says £15m winger Oliver Burke is brimming with potential but warned supporters he is not yet the finished article.
The 20-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the Baggies after they agreed a deal totalling £15m with German club RB Leipzig.
Burke is a powerful and pacy winger, and is eligible to play against Stoke City this Sunday.
Pulis was interested in the Scotland international last summer when he ended up joining Leipzig in a £13m deal from Nottingham Forest.
But the head coach is planning to start him on the bench this weekend, and he's told fans to be patient with the youngster.
“He’s a good player, we monitored him before he went to Leipzig," said Pulis. "We thought he was a talanted lad with lots of potential.
"He’s had a year over there. A year more experience and hopefully he’s gained something.
"He’s not the finished article but we think he’s got absolutely fantastic potential.
"We think he’s got lots of good qualities. He’s very quick and good in front of goal, he’s got a good eye for a goal.
"We’re really looking forward to having him involved and part of the group."
Pulis wanted to lower the average age of his squad this summer but so far, all three of his additions have been over 25.
Crystal Palace were also interested in Burke, but the Baggies beat the London club to his signature.
Pulis said: "When you look at the modern game and look at the ingredients teams need, that pace is vital. He will bring that to us, he’s extraordinarily quick.
"We might have to be patient with him. We’ll watch him today in training. We won’t start with him (against Stoke). Whether we put him on the bench we’ll see."
