The midfielder, signed in the summer of 2025, has often been a lightning rod for conversation.

Plenty see the potential, if not still raw, whilst others can not see beyond the frustration in a player who polarises opinion.

Baradji's arrival at Ewood Park was far from straightforward. Having flown over to undergo a medical in July, it wasn't until mid-August that his signature was on a contract after a foot issue was flagged.

He underwent surgery, and Rovers fans did not clap eyes on him until a trip to Deepdale at the end of November. Even in that first cameo, his laid-back persona was evident.

Finding the right position for Baradji has been difficult. He has played in more advanced areas, in a deeper midfield role and even slightly wider.

Yet he remains a puzzle that has become Mowbray's to solve. The head coach has spoken glowingly about Baradji after missing the start of the season with a hamstring.

"Moussa is a really, really talented boy as he showed when he came on the other day (against Cardiff)," Mowbray said last week.

"He's brilliant in the air. He's so powerful running with the ball. He had three or four efforts at goal.

"Moussa's a talent, he's a wonderful talent. He has been injured and he's now back.

"He's probably a bit frustrated that he's just getting a few minutes off the bench here and there but it's great for me to have a player of that versatility and that power and that strength just sitting there waiting.

"Whoever picks up a niggle and a little knock and Moussa then gets in, I'm pretty sure it's going to be tough to get him out of the team."

(Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)

Well, that opportunity did arise on Saturday at West Brom, though it was Jayden Fevrier who replaced the stricken Ryoya Morishita earlier in the match.

Todd Cantwell came off on the hour after a three-game week, handing Baradji a real opportunity to impress. Playing as a number 10, what we think might be his best role, it was a chance to influence the game.

The impact was disappointing. Baradji was far from alone in failing to influence proceedings. Good counter-attacking positions were wasted and he failed to get to the speed of the game.

It is not easy being drip-fed into the team. 10 minutes here, 20 there and without a run of consistent minutes, it can be difficult.

But after a lot of hyped words from Mowbray, he remains something of a mystery. It's still not apparent what his best position is and how Rovers get him into the team.

He's unlikely to start ahead of captain Cantwell and doesn't appear to have the defensive discipline to play next to Kristi Montgomery, who has struck a great partnership with Sam Morsy.

It is a question Mowbray is also still trying to find the solution to.

"Where does he play? I'm not sure he is a six but he could play there, or as an eight and a 10, we think he can do anything," he told Lancashire Telegraph.

"I wouldn't pigeonhole him as a number six. As I sit here today, I would probably pick (Jake) Garrett ahead of Moussa there.

"Moussa is more of a threat running with the ball, going forward, getting in the box, using all that power and athleticism and changing pace around the top end of the pitch.

"Yet I'm not sure he is a 10 either. It's a difficult one but as he showed the other day he can be a huge asset to the team and hopefully he'll show that over the coming weeks and months."

Baradji has talent but without a home, he may remain something of a Rovers enigma.

He has done his part off the pitch, learning English and integrating himself with his team-mates to become a popular figure in the dressing room.

On the pitch, we're still wanting more and asking, what is Moussa Baradji?