The 23-year-old will attempt to rebuild his career at the Britannia Stadium after having once been heralded as the next big thing alongside Argentina superstar Messi

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By Ben Hayward

Can he do it on a wet and windy night in Stoke? That’s the question often asked – quite ridiculously – ofLionel Messi. Barcelona's brilliant forward has consistently proved himself on all terrains and in all climes, of course, yet the jury’s still out on his former Blaugrana team-mate.

It may seem strange now, but back in 2007, many Barca fans were as excited by Bojan as they were by Messi. Legend had it that the young striker had netted 1,000 goals for the club’s youth sides and it was believed that he would be their next big thing. Even better still, he was Catalan and hugely popular with the side’s supporters.

But it never quite happened for Bojan in the senior side. Restricted to substitute appearances, the striker scored 12, 10, 12 and seven in his four full seasons with the Catalan club, always on the periphery and never managing to hold down a starting spot. Lacking the strength to play as an orthodox No.9, the forward was not entirely comfortable as a winger either and never quite found his place in the great team coached by Pep Guardiola.