Jerome Thomas would back a Carlos Vela return to West Bromwich Albion

Mar 20 2011 by Christopher Lepkowski, Sunday Mercury

CARLOS Vela to return to West Bromwich Albion on loan next season?

You just never know.

If the Baggies stay up this season and Arsenal strengthen then there is every chance the Baggies will pitch for another loan spell next season.

Jerome Thomas, an ex-Arsenal man himself, has been impressed with what he’s seen of the young Mexican, who was ineligible to play against his parent club yesterday.

He would happily welcome the return of the youngster, who has already scored two crucial goals for Albion since his January arrival – grabbing late equalisers against Wolves and Stoke and being very unfortunate to not net further goals in the game at Britannia Stadium.

If Roy Hodgson’s men do survive this summer, Thomas has urged Albion to return to the Emirates to try and bring Vela back next season.

“Carlos has been great,” said Thomas, who started his career at Arsenal before spending several seasons at Charlton.

“He scored two very important goals for us coming off the bench.

“We’ve all seen the ability he has. His record of goals-to-starts is very good but unfortunately he’s not started too often. With the one striker we play it’s probably not ideal for him. If we stay up and there was a chance it would be great to have him back.

“He’s fitted in well, he gets on with the lads, he has a great personality. There are no big egos here to damage him – nor does he have one either.

“A lot of people think a player coming in from Arsenal might have an ego – not at all, he’s very humble and has been a great addition.”

Thomas would not be surprised if Arsenal want to keep hold of the 22-year-old, especially given the way injuries have ravaged their squad this season, forcing them to scrape together a patched-up side every now and then.

And the Albion winger feels Vela has ‘Arsenal’ stamped all the way through him.

“From what I’ve seen he is a definite Arsenal player,” added Thomas. “He’s young, learning his trade and Arsenal is the right place to do that.

“He likes to give one-twos and move, his first touch is superb, he’s left-footed and has that extra bit of class about him. I think the potential is there, he just needs to keep developing.”