Tuesday 16 September 2014 08:57, UK
Former West Brom manager Steve Clarke believes Nabi brothers Adil and Samir can be the football role models Asian fans across the world are craving.
The brothers, along with Swansea defender Neil Taylor, are the only full-time professionals from Britain’s Asian community playing in England’s top flight.
Clarke contributed to the pair’s development during his time at West Brom and thinks the duo have the quality to make a telling impact in the Premier League.
“I think it’s always difficult to pin down for sure whether young players will succeed but I would like to think they will be a success,” Clarke told Sky Sports.
“I know the family quite well. Their father has got the best of intentions for his boys and hopefully - if they continue to develop - they can become role models for Asians in football in this country and beyond.”
Adil, 20, was training with the first-team squad during pre-season last year before an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in a pre-season friendly ruled him out for the entire season.
But he has since returned to action for West Brom’s U21 side this term and Clarke believes the striker has a bright future ahead of him.
“His assets are that he’s a goalscorer and that’s a very important position in football,” he said.
“Adil’s always shown the ability to be in the right position at the right time to pick up goals, and he scores with his left foot and his right foot.
“He’s probably one of two strikers and maybe needs someone more physical beside him to allow him to create his own opportunities and get into goalscoring positions in the box.
“As long as he recovers fully from his injury then hopefully he can have a really good career.”
Clarke added: “Samir was also doing really well when I was at the club. He’s a slightly different type of player, more of a runner from midfield getting up and down the pitch and a good passer of the ball.
“He’s another one that if he keeps his feet on the ground, and keeps working hard, will have a positive future in the game.”
