Brilliant Bojan finally showing past Barca promise

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes, 7/2 to guide the Potters to a top 10 finish, has joined a chorus of praise for summer signing Bojan Krkic.

“Bojan’s been playing exceptionally well. That’s the level he is used to,” the Potters boss said, following the player’s part in the 3-2 win over Arsenal, which saw him net the second goal.

“I sense that big-stage mentality about him. He demands the ball, he takes responsibility.”

Eyebrows were certainly raised over summer, when rumours of Barcelona star Bojan’s mooted move to unlikely Stoke reared their head.

A La Masia-trained product, the highest ever scorer in the Catalan giants’ famed youth ranks, Bojan has experienced football at several clubs considered amongst Europe’s elite, including AC Milan, Ajax and Roma. Teams all famed for their love of the beautiful game.

Despite Stoke’s ‘revolution’ under former Barca forward Mark Hughes, who was no doubt a key component in luring young Bojan to the Britannia Stadium, his side are still tarred with a reputation as battlers, bruisers and game-spoilers.

Wiry Bojan, still just 24, is renowned for his quick-feet, dribbling and aesthetic play, often with little end product to show for it, making him appear an odd-fit for the pragmatic Potters.

The Spain-capped star promised much in his early career, bursting onto the scene at Barca to break Lionel Messi’s record of youngest-ever debutant for the club at 17.

After failing to transfer his youth academy performances to the first-team consistently enough, Bojan packed his bags and departed his boyhood club for Serie A side Roma.

The technically gifted attacker continued to show glimpses of his talent, but not frequently, or convincingly, enough for the Giallorossi or subsequent loan club AC Milan to fork out his full fee.

Similar disappointment awaited in Amsterdam, after Ajax also sent Bojan back to Barcelona, where there was no more room at the inn.