Time To Freshen Up The Squad. Part One.

“Let’s get rid of everybody except Boruc and Roger” most fans seem to be shouting after our weak performance in Euro 2008. Yeah, easy to say, harder to do. However, I agree that Polish team requires some new faces; new leaders ought to be found. Young players must be introduced before Euro 2012. That’s why I decided to present a list of players who may be interesting additions to our national team. Have a look.

Marcin Kowalczyk
Position: DR/DL
Age: 23 years
Club: Dinamo Moscow
We lack good full backs so Kowalczyk should be the first one tested. He can play both on left and right side. Already impressed for GKS Belchatow in 2006/2007 season. Quite fast and confident on the ball. Sold to Dinamo Moscow at the beginning of the year where he won his place in the squad instantly.

Piotr Brozek
Position: DL/ML/ATT
Age: 25 years
Club: Wisla Krakow
If we need an attacking full back Piotr Brozek is a player to call up. He started his career as a winger so he’s got a natural drive to attack. Good dribbler, he’s also very fast. The problem is, he can’t defend. He lacks good positioning and would struggle against a quality winger.

Tomasz Bandrowski
Position: MC/ML
Age: 24 years
Club: Lech Poznan
I remember him playing for our U-21 some time ago and always considered him the most talented next to Kuba Blaszczykowski. Strange he couldn’t win a regular place at Energie Cottbus. Luckily, he was loaned out to Lech Poznan, where he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Polish league. Good technique and vision, can play both in the centre and on a wing.

Kamil Grosicki
Position: MR/ATT
Age: 20 years
Club: FC Sion
Already tested by Leo. We don’t really have many dynamic wingers/dribblers that’s why we should keep an eye on Grosicki’s performances in Switzerland. A good dribbler, never scared of running at defenders, a natural talent. Hopefully, he’s recovered from his gambling addiction.

Ariel Borysiuk
Position: DMC/MC/AMC
Age: 17 years
Club: Legia Warsaw
Very rarely we see a player of such quality emerge in Poland at such a young age. I was really impressed seeing him distribute the ball so confidently for Legia this season. Good technique enables him to play under pressure, he very rarely loses the ball. It’s probably a bit too early to introduce him to the senior national team, but why not try? They do it in Spain, Holland or Portugal.

Szymon Pawlowski
Position: MR/ML
Age: 22 years
Club: Zaglebie Lubin
Developed enormously in the last season. His performances for Zaglebie sparked interest both from top Polish clubs and from abroad. A right footed player, but he can also play on the left flank. Has all qualities of a classy winger: speed, dribbling and crossing abilities. Has to leave Zaglebie this season as they were relegated to 2nd division. Performs well for our U-21 team.

Pawel Brozek
Position: ST
Age: 25 years
Club: Wisla Krakow
The top scorer of Polish first division. Already had numerous chances to impress in the national team but never really delivered. Next two years may be his make or break period. A transfer abroad would do him good. Very fast, posseses a good shot. He’s not a player fitting in Leo’s philosophy of play (a striker should be able to keep the ball), but we can’t afford to dispose of a player of such potential. Deserves another chance.

Dawid Janczyk
Position: ST
Age: 21 years
Club: CSKA Moscow
The biggest talent in Polish football in the last three years. Impressed both in Youth Euro Champs in 2006 and Youth World Cup in 2007. His performance in 2007 earned him a move to CSKA Moscow. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play regularly in Russia due to injuries and competition in the squad. It seems that this year CSKA will sell Jo, a Brazilian striker, so maybe Janczyk will finally get his chance in the starting lineup. Well built, fast, has a powerful shot; ideal for a lone striker.

Adam Danch
Position: DC/DMC
Age: 21 years
Club: Gornik Zabrze
A player that, along with Janczyk, impressed me most during Youth World Cup in 2007. When most of the players played chaotically, he seemed calm and confident on the ball. Able to decipher what’s best for the team in a partcular moment. Started the last season as a first team regular, but then lost competition with Michal Pazdan. I like the way Ryszard Wieczorek, Gornik’s coach, develops young talent; Danch will surely be given a chance next season.

Kamil Glik
Position: DC/DMC
Age: 20 years
Club: Real Madrid
I only saw him a couple of times playing for our U-21. A tall and well built defender/midfielder who works very hard in the middle of the field. He’s still a bit technically raw, but I’m sure Real Madrid coaches will work on that. He isn’t exactly Real material, but there’s a chance he’ll make a name for himself in Primera Division. Height and physicality mixed with some skills on the ball should be a perfect combination.

In the second part: Piotr Polczak, Marcin Kikut, Radoslaw Majewski, Ireneusz Jelen, Przemyslaw Kazmierczak, Rafal Boguski, Dawid Nowak, Robert Lewandowski and Krzysztof Krol.

What do you think about these candidates?