Borja Baston signs with Swansea from Atletico Madrid for a club-record £15.5 million. The Swans secure the striker’s services for 4 years.
Borja Baston Signs With Swansea
Baston’s Career so Far
Graduating from Atletico’s youth academy in 2009, Baston made only one first team appearance. On his debut, an anterior cruciate ligament threatened his entire career. He never made another appearance for Atleti. Instead, for five consecutive seasons he has been loaned out, suggesting he had been surplus to requirements for a while. During these loans spells, he notched 63 goals in 160 appearances. This isn’t an astonishing record by any means, but in the last two La Liga seasons, he has mustered 40 of those goals suggesting he is building some form.
He has represented Spain’s youth side at under-16, 17 and 19 level, scoring 18 goals in 27 matches. It’s unlikely that he will break through into the Spanish first team. But, with a move to a Premier League club, he will be able to improve himself. Soon after, he may provide a solution to Spain’s number nine shortage. Spanish football fans hold him in high regards as a very talented young player.
What will he bring to Swansea?
Baston is a number nine that has good movement, relies on scoring goals and doesn’t overcomplicate his play. He has been compared with Real Madrid’s Raul in that respect. One of his strengths is his physicality. At 6’1, he has the frame to compete in the Premier League. If fellow compatriot Fernando Llorente is fielded alongside him up top, it could prove to be a formidable partnership in the air and on the ground. The more experienced Llorente can guide him to develop further, and will be an aid to settling in a foreign country.
If he can score 18 goals at Eibar, he can score at least 10 in the Premier League. Swansea have the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jack Cork to give him quality service to thrive upon. He has mentioned a pressure to score goals after becoming Swansea’s biggest transfer. “There is pressure, but it is good pressure,” said Borja. Indeed, such pressure is beneficial to ensure a striker works hard and creates chances to score goals. However, he must be managed warily by Francesco Guidolin to get the best out of him. Any transfer to a foreign league is always a risk, which is why he must be eased into Premier League football and British culture. With a season to build his confidence, Baston could prove to be a big hit in the Premier League.
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