Ousmane Diakite believes a sense of freedom is the key to his continued progress at West Bromwich Albion. The Mali international, now in his third season at The Hawthorns, opened up about his positive mindset in an exclusive interview for the club's official matchday programme.
A clear head for the challenge
"Football can be up and down at times, but I feel great now," Diakite said. He credits his daily dedication for his current state, adding, "I am working so hard every day, I believe in myself and do everything I can to improve." This focused approach comes as West Brom enjoy a strong start to the 2026/27 Championship campaign, sitting third with 14 points from seven matches. Their recent form reads two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five outings.
Building on a solid start
The team's position provides a confident backdrop for players like Diakite to express themselves. Albion's last result was a 1-1 home draw with Queens Park Rangers, a game in which an own goal gave them the lead before Callum Styles equalised for the visitors. That followed a 1-0 win at Derby County, secured by a goal from A. Heggebo. Fans can review the full list of recent results and the club's standings on our site.
Looking ahead to Wolves
Attention now turns to a significant fixture. West Brom travel to face local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, September 20th. The Black Country derby is always a highlight of the calendar and represents another test for Carlos Corberán's squad. The manager will be without the injured Mikey Johnston and Nolan Galves for the trip to Molineux. Supporters can plan for the upcoming schedule by checking our fixtures page.
Diakite's full interview is featured in the Saturday edition of Albion News, available for £4 around the stadium on matchday or via pre-order online. The 24-year-old midfielder's development remains an important part of West Brom's push for promotion this season.
