Call Ups For The First World Cup Qualifiers. Pawel Brozek Is Back.

Leo Beenhakker presented today a list of players that will compete for Poland in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and San Marino. As expected, Artur Boruc, Dariusz Dudka and Radoslaw Majewski were not included after their alcohol adventures in Ukraine. The biggest news is the call up for the Polish league’s top goalscorer Pawel Brozek.

The call ups for Slovenia and San Marino games:

Goalkeepers: Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal London), Wojciech Kowalewski (Iraklis Thessaloniki), Lukasz Zaluska (Dundee United)

Defenders: Maciej Kowalczyk (Dinamo Moscow), Mariusz Jop (FC Moscow), Seweryn Gancarczyk (Metalist Kharkiv), Michal Zewlakow (Olympiakos Pireus), Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht Brussels), Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznan), Piotr Polczak (Cracovia Krakow), Bartosz Bosacki (Lech Poznan)

Midfielders: Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Jacek Krzynowek (VfL Wolfsburg), Roger Guerreiro (Legia Warsaw), Rafal Boguski, Wojciech Lobodzinski (both Wisla Krakow), Tomasz Bandrowski, Rafal Murawski (both Lech Poznan), Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund)

Attackers: Pawel Brozek (Wisła Krakow), Robert Lewandowski (Lech Poznan), Euzebiusz Smolarek (Racing Santander), Lukasz Piszczek (Hertha Berlin)

Backups: Sebastian Przyrowski (Polonia Warsaw), Adam Kokoszka (Empoli), Michal Pazdan, Tomasz Zahorski (both Gornik Zabrze), Slawomir Peszko (Lech Poznan)

Let’s carry out a little analysys, shall we.

Goalies: No Artur Boruc, which was clear after the news about heavy drinking came out. Lukasz Fabianski is clearly our nr 1 now and will have to fill Artie’s shoes for the next two games at least. I’m confident he’ll do well. This is the first call up for Zaluska, a rather unexpected one. The Dundee United keeper is receiving great reviews for his performances in SPL so he should do as a backup keeper. He was always nr 2 for Korona Kielce in Poland but his career flourished after moving to Scotland. The call up for Kowalewski is also rather surprising, especially that the season in Greece is yet to start. It just shows that Leo doesn’t trust goalies from the Polish league like Przyrowski or Pawelek. Oh, no call up for Kuszczak, but that’s hardly a surprise for anybody.

Defenders: We’re in deep shit when it comes to full backs. Bronowicki and Golanski are injured and Wawrzyniak is completely out of form. Therefore, Wasilewski is the only player with some sort of international experience. Wojtkowiak should act as his backup; he does well in the league and is a former member of our youth teams. The left flank is more problematic; Leo will choose here between Kowalczyk (1 cap) and Gancarczyk (3 caps). The inclusion of the latter is especially surprising as Leo often stated that the Metalist player is not what he is looking for. Gancarczyk’s call up only shows that Leo is really determined to find any kind of moderate player for the left back spot. This is a chance for both players to earn their place in the team for little longer. Michal Zewlakow’s position in the starting lineup is certain, the question is who will partner him in the central defence? Jop returns to the team, but I’m far from calling him a player we can always count on. It’s the first call up for Bosacki since 2006; he’s doing great for Lech Poznan this season and may be the answer Leo is looking for. I like the decision to include him, he’s quite fast for a defender and can score a goal or two from corners (as we all know). Polczak apparently impressed Leo during training camps and may also start next to Zewlakow. Kokoszka blew his chances with a horrible performance against Ukraine.

Midfielders: Who will fill Dariusz Dudka’s spot? Seems like Rafal Murawski will get a chance to step up and establish a strong position in the national team. Roger is a bit too offensive a player and Bandrowski doesn’t seem experienced enough. Kuba Blaszczykowski is sure to start on the right wing, whereas we can’t be certain about the left flank. Krzynowek doesn’t even make the bench for Wolfsburg these days so maybe it’s time to give Rafal Boguski a chance? He’s practically new to the team (1 cap), but he already proved in Wisla’s European games that he can make the step up to the international level. There is always a possibility that Ebi Smolarek will play as a winger.

Attackers: If this is not the time for Pawel Brozek to become our main striking force then there will never be one. Brozek has a great start of the season, he’s in great shape. Hey, he even played quite well against Barcelona. It should be his time in the national team, now or never. What’s more, Irek Jelen didn’t get a call up after a disappointing performance against Ukraine so the doors are open for Brozek to start. Leo prefers Ebi Smolarek to play on the wing, whereas Piszczek plays on the wing for Hertha. Robert Lewandowski is too inexpierenced, but I count on him to come off the bench at least in one of the games. The situation is perfect for Brozek to earn a place in the starting lineup; time to prove he’s what we need upfront. If he’s not an answer then we’re left with no options left (and don’t tell me Janczyk is ready, his biggest success this season is making the bench for CSKA). Finally, I think we can slowly consider Maciej Zurawski a former national team player. Still, I wish him the best of look in Greece this season.

Bear in mind that this analysys applies provided we use our 4-2-3-1 tactics. I wonder if Leo has any new ideas up his sleeve.