Barcelona : How Pep Guardiola destroyed Bojan’s career?
Pep Guardiola destroyed Bojan’s hopes of being a Barcelona star
When Frank Rijkaard made the decision to promote Bojan to the first-team squad after a successful season with Barcelona B, the Dutchman was lauded for discovering a gem of a player from La Masia.
In his debut season, he made 48 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals. He scored 10 goals in the La Liga, breaking Raúl’s record in the process. He was set to take over from Ronaldinho as member of a trio with Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi.
After Pep Guardiola’s appointment as head coach, he brought in Pedro from the B team. But Bojan remained higher in the pecking order, scoring 10 goals in 42 appearances. The next season, Pedro rose to the occasion.
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But Bojan still managed to amass 36 appearances, scoring 12 goals. The next season was when Pep Guardiola betrayed him by bringing even more competition into the squad, by signing David Villa.
Bojan still got playing time, but against lesser opponents. While Pedro and Villa established themselves in the first-team, Bojan was left as backup and his potential was left unrealised. He made 37 appearances that season, and scored 7 times.
David Villa is hailed as one of the greatest signings ever made in the history of Barcelona. But while it did have the desired impact, it undermined Pep Guardiola’s basic philosophy : To lay the emphasis on youth players and internally develop superstars.
Bojan could have been one of the greatest players in the history of the club, but he was denied of this opportunity by none other than the greatest manager in the club’s recent history – Pep Guardiola.
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Next season, he left the club to join Roma, from where, his career went on a downward spiral before it culminated in a loan move to Alavés, where he is currently plying his trade. A player who had all the traits required to be a Barça great, ending up at a club which is fighting to avoid relegation.