Tony Pulis is more than glad to see the back of Saido Berahino.
The 23-year-old left West Brom during the January transfer window in £12 million move to Stoke. He had not made an appearance for West Brom since September and his last goal for the club was nearly a year ago.
Speaking to BBC West Midlands, Pulis said that ever since West Brom rejected a bid from Spurs for the player in August 2015, he has not been the same.
Saido was very good the first six months I was at this club. He didn't go to Tottenham, and from that point on it's been a real struggle in every way, shape and form.
Part of the reason why Berahino didn't make a Premier League appearance between September and his Stoke debut against Everton during the week is that he was serving an eight-week suspension. The Daily Mail reported that is was because he failed an out-of-competition drugs test. Berahino tested positive for a recreational drug.
Pulis said that overall, Berahino was not picked because physically and mentally he was not at an adequate level.
Anything Stoke asked for, we told them the truth.
We never picked him again because his fitness levels, mental levels, were never what we wanted.
This club has been absolutely fantastic towards Saido. The way it's protected him, the way it's looked after him. He should be really, really grateful.
Stoke travel to the Hawthorns this weekend to play what is normally an uninspiring fixture against West Brom. However, the addition of Berahino to the Stoke squad certainly adds some extra interest. As does Pulis's admission that he doesn't care whether or not Mark Hughes is the man to help Berahino's career.
Personally, I don't give a damn now.
I've spent two and a half years at this club and he's not my problem anymore. I wish him all the best.
