Borja Baston wants to prove Diego Simeone wrong at Swansea City and become the club’s new Michu.
The 23-year-old – who could make his Swansea debut at home to Hull City on Saturday – was let go by Simeone and Atletico Madrid to become the Swans’ record £15.5m signing, even though he smashed 18 goals in La Liga last season, on loan for Eibar.
Fellow Spaniard Michu hit 22 goals for Swansea in his first season four years ago and Borja said: “Michu came here and was a great success and scored lots of goals, so hopefully I can do the same.
“But I am a different type of player to Michu. I am more of a striker.
“There is pressure on me because of the record fee, but it’s a good pressure. It’s not a problem.”
Borja was seen as the new Fernando Torres during his early days at Atletico and was nicknamed “Van Baston” in honour of Dutch legend Marco van Basten.
But Siemone was never truly convinced and it is part of Borja’s mission in Wales to make the Argentinian lose sleep with regret.
“I was at Atletico as a four-year-old. When I joined I was full of hope because they are a big club, but they didn’t give me the opportunity so that is why I am here.”
Borja – who full name is Borja González Tomas, with Baston taken as a nickname – could be partnered with fellow Spainiard Fernando Llorente when the Swans host the Tigers.
Spain international Llorente has made an impressive start with his new club and was a key player as Francesco Guidolin’s side beat Burnley 1-0 on the opening weekend at Turf Moor.
Borja reckons the two countymen could quickly develop a successful partnership if they were paired together up front.
“I would like to play alongside Fernando – very much so. I have spoken to him and feel we are two players who can work very well together.
“In Spain, I have seen him have a lot of success and good seasons. The last year I played with similar types of players – it is a conversation about how we can play together. But it is the manager who makes the decisions.”
Guidolin was impressed by Llorente’s contribution to the Swans’ opening victory and said: “It was a good game for him.
“He played 90 minutes which I thought wasn’t possible because he has only been with us for one week, but he played very well.
“He isn’t only strong in the air, he is also a very, very good player. Now I understand why he played with his national team – and I hope he will again.”
