As the league neared its nail-biting finale this past season, it became more apparent than ever how Barca has a huge number of players who are willing to stand up and be counted on when times turn tough. Leading from the front, inspiring the fans whilst also setting an example for their colleagues on the field.
Many players are cut from this noble cloth – Xavi, Puyol, Pique, Messi, Valdes – but considering the seniority and experience of these players, it is perhaps unsurprising how they stepped up to the plate. However it is not only the most mature and respected members of the squad who found form during some of the most high-tension moments of the season.
Both Pedro Rodriguez and Bojan Krkic did more than their fair share in ensuring that Barca clinched another league title, but it is the latter’s recent resurgence that has created such a stir amongst many fans and onlookers.
The young forward had struggled to make any real impact under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, with the manager apparently having little faith in the boy from Linyola’s abilities. Over the past few months, whether called upon in cup or league, Bojan has done all he can to change his managers mind, displaying desire and quality in equal measure.
After an impressive debut season, where at the tender age of 16, he managed to score 12 goals in 42 appearances. Bojan seemed destined for superstar status with many comparing his quick feet and dynamism with the other magician, Lionel Messi, but after a distinctly disappointing 08/09 campaign it seemed maybe the pressure was proving too much for the young man, with him possibly following in the footsteps of his youth team colleague, Giovanni Dos Santos, in failing to live up to the hype. It seems he may now be set to pick up where he left off in the summer of 2008.
Since his earliest appearances there have been those who have doubted Bojan, questioning his touch and strength. After all he did make his breakthrough during a season where Barca were fraught with inner-squad struggles and off the field political wrangling. Was he just a flash in the pan? A small glimpse of hope in a season filled with frustration? Well perhaps now we have the answer.
His recent run of form seems to have gone some way to prove that those who believed in him may well have been right. As along with his pace and fantastic finishing, Bojan has recently tried to add a much stronger physicality to his game. This may well explain Pep’s sudden recognition of the young strikers quality. He has always played with great freedom and a smile on his face, but he now seems more prepared for the ultra-competitive game Guardiola demands of his team – strong tackling presence, tracking back, giving away fouls in the opposition area. Although he hasn’t perfected this side of his game just yet he has definitely improved it immensely over the last season.
Perhaps the greatest comparison we can draw here is between Bojan and Samuel Eto’o. Now no one is saying they’re equals but in stature and style they do have their similarities, and perhaps Bojan could, and did, learn a lot watching the Cameroonian. Eto’o’s pace, finishing and clever movement can all be found in Bojan’s game, the issue is whether the young forward can do it as consistently as his predecessor, and with as much aggression and gumption. If so he seems set for that prized number 9 jersey sooner than he thinks.
Look at the goals he scored against Tenerife and Villarreal at the tail-end of the season – the similarities to Eto’o are there for all to see – playing on the shoulder of the last defender, clever movement off the ball, a finish even the greatest of forwards would be jealous of.
During his time in the first team Bojan has always struggled to carve out a set position particular to his talents, either having to play as understudy to Eto’o or further out wide where often his greatest asset – his finishing – is wasted. Perhaps now he has finally found his role within the team?
Recently Bojan’s versatility has proved priceless – what with his intelligent interchanging of position with Messi, Pedro and Ibra – but for him to ever truly flourish he must cement his name within the position where he most feels at home. As with Eto’o, it seems centre-forward is the natural choice. That is why, with David Villa now set to take precedent in the Barca front line, Bojan must not lose heart. For if ever there was a player who can teach him the tricks of the ‘number 9′, possibly even more so than Eto’o, it is David Villa.
If Bojan can learn everything he can from the Spain forward, he stands a chance of being one of the greatest forwards in Barca history, but only if he can improve certain aspects of his game such as his often heavy first touch and less than impressive heading ability.
One of the major criticisms of Bojan is his lack of presence on the field, meaning he does not intimidate defenders the way Eto’o, Ibra or David Villa do. When faced with one on one situations it would take a brave Barca fan to back Bojan to beat his man – this comes down to a few key points.
Firstly, his strength is playing in behind defenses not running at them. When running with the ball he can often be found wanting when it comes to ingenuity and a final pass, often having to pass the ball back into midfield to start the move again. Consider how Eto’o and Villa do this – daring defenders to dive in, drawing fouls, playing neat passes whilst keeping moving.
Bojan has showed he is capable of doing this but for him to become great he must get better at it. As for him and all players – consistency is the key. He must be bolder in his choice of pass, and braver when it comes to facing up to on rushing defenders, for as we all know he has quick enough feet to outdo anyone – he just needs the gall and composure to do it more often.
Secondly, he still does not quite have the knack to lead the line by himself. Yes he can only play the position asked of him by Pep, but when he has played as the ‘centre’ forward of the three his instinct is to get in behind the defense or push out wider – meaning if the ball comes up to him early it often doesn’t stick. In this way he is more similar to Eto’o than Villa who has shown he can lead the line brilliantly with Valencia and Spain – holding the ball up, laying balls off to other attackers, dragging defenders out of position. Bojan has not quite found his feet when it comes to this element of the strikers game.
Consider the many games where Eto’o, playing in that centre-forward position, would disappear entirely from a game, unable to hold up the ball or link up play in front of the defense, offering little in the way of a direct outlet for a pass. This often happened in European games such as Barca’s exploits in the Champions League against Chelsea and Manchester United in the 2007/2008 Semi-finals, where Eto’o’s’ influence was almost non existent. He was too similar to the ‘wing’ forwards and thus the arrival of Ibra.
If Bojan hopes to force his way up the pecking order, and claim that centre point as his own, he must learn to make the ball stick with greater authority. Perhaps a few more hours spent in the gym, as well as a keen ear for Ibra and Villa’s advice may advance this element of his game.
Thirdly, and not so much a problem as a reason for the first two points – he is still very young and naive, playing in such a way that can cause both awe inspiring brilliance and frustrating missed opportunities and misplaced passes. This will obviously change the more games he plays and the greater experience he gets, as will the above points, so it seems we will need to be patient with him.
Luckily for the boy from Linyola it seems he inspires much affection from nearly all quarters of the Barca faithful, with players and fans alike responding to his ever present smile, youthful exuberance and his never give up attitude which he has shown beautifully in proving himself to Guardiola.
Not once has he shown his frustration in public, never calling for more playing time or a move away. In a time of huge ego’s and agent power this is a truly refreshing facet to the young man’s personality, and one that suggests it may not take much for him to progress in the way we all hope he can.
Perhaps behind that baby brother smile there is a stern reserve and toughness which will come through soon, pushing him on to great things. Yes he may need to sit on the bench a little longer than he would like next season but judging from his recent run in the side, and the amount of top sides courting his services, it seems he is not as far from Pep’s thoughts as he once was. Maybe Villa will want to hold a few of his ’strikers secrets’ back just to be certain of his own starting place?
