Jefferson Montero: The expert take on West Brom's new signing

Following his move, we spoke with Tom Coleman, sports writer for WalesOnline, and Steven Carroll, creator or the Swansea Oh Swansea fanzine, to get a better take on the winger.

See what they had to say here...

Montero makes the move to The Hawthorns having not started all that often at the Liberty Stadium, why is that?

TC: Montero's been frustrating from a Swansea point of view.

It's perhaps a bold statement to make, but I genuinely think that at his best, he's the most technically gifted attacking player in the Championship.

However, his time in South Wales has been wrecked by a series of injuries and clearly some lingering concerns over his fitness remain.

But while he may not have started a game this season, he's still made some fantastic contributions from the bench, earning himself a total of three assists - an impressive tally for an impact sub.

There's a brilliant, brilliant player in there somewhere and if the Baggies can get find it - and get Jacob Murphy firing too - they are going to be a frightening team.

SC: His fitness is awful, he’s been used as an impact sub which makes sense as you can use his pace against tired legs whilst limiting his time on the pitch meaning he’s less likely to get injured.

He's always looked an exciting player from afar, what kind of qualities does he bring?

TC: He is an exciting player... On his day.

Pace, trickery and flair. When he fancies it, Montero is an out-and-out winger capable terrorising any defence in this league, and perhaps a few in the Premier League too.

It's for that very reason that Swansea fans have found his time here so frustrating - they simply haven't seen enough of it.

SC: The pace I was talking about, on his day he’s the best winger in this league.

The sad thing is that only happens a couple of times a season. He can be infuriating.

I remember the game at the Hawthorns in December 2016 when he didn’t look interested and eventually got subbed.

That’s the problem with him, don’t know what you’re going to get.

What are his strengths and weaknesses?

TC: In the past there have been questions from some corners about his work-rate and his ability to dig in when the going gets tough, and to a certain extent I sympathise with that, but really his main weakness has been his fitness.

His injury record since arriving at the Swans has been nothing short of disastrous and he's never really had a chance to put together a strong run of games, even when out on loan with Getafe and Emelec last season (where he made a combined total of 18 appearances).

SC: He can beat full backs for fun on his day and his end product can be on the money too.

Weakness is injury and if he can be bothered. Plus he never scores. Only got two for Swansea since joining in 2014.

He's seen as an option to replace Harvey Barnes at Albion, do you think he can impress at The Baggies?

TC: If he can stay fit, and can rediscover his best form, he could genuinely be one of the most exciting signings West Brom have made in years.

SC: He can but he’s different to Barnes, he won’t get you the goals that he got.

He’s more likely to assist and plays out wide rather than through the middle.

Why have Swansea been willing to part with him?

TC: Montero's difficulties meant he was widely expected to leave in the summer, but has been brought back in from the wilderness by Graham Potter.

Given his impressive cameos this season, I'd strongly suspect that Potter would ideally have kept him on board.

However, the fact he's not started the winger, who's knocking on for 30 now, shows there are still concerns behind the scenes.

SC: It seems everyone is available at Swansea right now.

It was another shambolic deadline day. Four went on the last one and three went yesterday and it would have been five if the board had had their way.

It’s a shambles,19 players have left since last summer and only five have come in. We’re being asset stripped.

Do you think he represents a good bit of business for all parties?

TC: I think so. If he proves a flop, I don't think it will affect his market value too much from a Swansea point of view, and West Brom won't find themselves too out of pocket either.

If he performs well, it could represent a bumper a pay day for the Swans hierarchy at the end of the season and, hopefully (and I mean hopefully), give Potter something to work with in the summer.

Oh, and as I mentioned, a fit and firing Montero gives the Baggies a hell of a chance of reaching the Premier League, which I guess would be good for them too...

SC: Not really for Swansea. Won’t save us much money and he’ll come back in summer and we’ll be in same position.

For West Brom I'd liken it to the Daniel Sturridge gamble they took last season. If it comes off it could be inspired. If it doesn’t it could be a complete waste of time.

You can follow Tom and Steven on Twitter by searching for @tomEcoleman and @StevenSOS1987.