Stoke new boy Jese Rodriguez set for Premier League debut against Arsenal’s Sead Kolasinac… who ended his Real Madrid career
The Spaniard moved from Paris Saint-German to Stoke on a season-long loan on Wednesday.
JESE RODRIGUEZ'S Premier League debut could see him come up against Arsenal's Sead Kolasinac - the man whose horror challenge ruined his Real Madrid career.
Jese, who signed for Stoke from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, could be set to make his league berth against the Gunners on Saturday.
If selected, he could square off against Kolasinac for the first time since the Bosnia and Herzegovina international tackle torn the Spaniard's knee ligament in 2014.
Rodriguez's injury, by the player's own admission, severely hampered his attempts to live up to his early potential with Los Blancos.
“I have thought about it," he said speaking to Marca in February about his injury.
“And I’ve never liked comparing myself to anyone, but I think I would be an undisputed starter for Real Madrid. Of that I’m sure.
“You never know, hopefully some day I’ll be back. It was the team that birthed me as a footballer — it’s like when a mother gives birth, Madrid did that for me.”
The ligament damage sidelined Jese for nine months and after struggling to get into the Real starting XI was eventually sold to PSG last summer for £21 million.
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In Ligue 1 last season he started one league game and made eight appearances from the bench for PSG, scoring only one goal.
After struggling in France, he ended his season at Las Palmas.
The Potters believe that they can reinvigorate the two-time Champions League winner's career and will seek to win their first home game of the season this weekend.
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