Time To Freshen Up The Squad. Part Two.

After part one of talent search comes part two. Here’s another group of players that may enhance the Polish national team in the future. I’m not a professional scout so I can’t really guarantee that all of them are international level material, but the only way to check it is to give them a chance. Leo Beenhakker is planning to organize special training sessions for young talents from the Polish league every 2-3 months and observe first-handedly if they have what it takes to survive on the international scene. At the same time, young age shouldn’t be the only factor considered as there are also older players who are only waiting to give it a go.

Piotr Polczak
Position: DC
Age: 22 years
Club: Cracovia Krakow
He was transferred out of the second division only half a year ago and in this time managed to become one of the most confident central backs in the league. He also played regularly for our youth team. At 1,92m height, Polczak has the physicality needed to play on this position. As always when Polish league players are concerned, his on the ball skills need improvement.

Marcin Kikut
Position: DR/MR
Age: 25 years
Club: Lech Poznan
The most offensively playing right back in the Polish league. He started his career as a winger and was tranformed into a defender by Lech’s coach, Franciszek Smuda. He did well to replace Marcin Wasilewski at Lech Poznan and maybe he’d do the same in the national team. I’m still in the dark on whether he can perform on international stage, but Lech plays in UEFA Cup this season so we’re bound to find out.

Radoslaw Majewski
Position: MC/AMC
Age: 22 years
Club: Groclin Grodzisk
The most talented playmaker in the Polish league and the most improved player for the last season. Good technique and an ability to play an opening, diagonal ball make him an exceptional player in terms of the Polish league. A good performance against England for our youth team sparked some interest from abroad, but Majewski will stay for at least one more year in Grodzisk. Was very close to earning a spot in our Euro squad and will certainly be called up by Leo for the upcoming games.

Ireneusz Jelen
Position: MR/ST
Age: 27 years
Club: AJ Auxerre
Already an experienced player, he was our best performer in the 2006 World Cup. Unfortunately, he suffered serious back pains last season that prevented him from repeating an impressive debut season in the French league. Leo is not his biggest fan as he views Jelen as a perfect player for counter attack, not for positional play. Still, if he’s healthy and in form, Jelen is our best right winger just after Kuba Blaszczykowski.

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak
Position: DMC/MC/ML
Age: 26 years
Club: FC Porto
He was regularly called up by Leo in 2006 and 2007, but lost his form after moving to FC Potro. The truth is, he is not good enough to play regularly ahead of players such as Lucho Gonzales or Raul Meirelles. At the same time, he can impress in mid-table clubs, as was the case with Boavista. We don’t have much backup defensive midfielders to choose from (Pazdan was the only one in the Euros) so Kaz deserves a second look, especially when we consider his powerful, left footed shot.

Rafal Boguski
Position: MR/AMC/ST
Age: 24 years
Club: Wisla Krakow
When he returned to Wisla at the beginning of last season he was only considered a utility player. In reality, he became on of the crucial elements in Wisla’s championship season and was praised as the one who made the biggest progress by coach Maciej Skorza. Already spotted and singled out by Leo, he’ll surely be given a chance. A very versatile player; can play on right wing, support a lone striker or even play as one. Managed to keep Radoslaw Matusiak out of Wisla’s starting lineup.

Dawid Nowak
Position: ST
Age: 24 years
Club: GKS Belchatow
Nowak is considered one of the most talented strikers in Poland but his career is put on hold every season due to injuries. Still, he manages to attract interest from top Polish clubs every transfer window. A very dynamic player. I would like to see him play a season without injuries and only then check if he’s skilled enough to score regularly and play for the national team.

Robert Lewandowski
Position: ST
Age: 20 years
Club: Lech Poznan
To be honest, I’ve only seen some highlights of his play and individual goals. Lewandowski was last season’s top goalscorer in Polish second division with 21 goals to his name. That’s not a huge achievement when you consider which players won this title before, but the fact that he managed to spark interest from all top Polish clubs (Legia, Lech, Wisla) speaks for itself. He’s a powerful, but at the same dynamic forward. He already plays for our youth team. I’m curious to watch how he performs for Lech next season.

Krzyszto Krol
Position: DL
Club: Real Madrid
Age: 21 years
I can’t really say how he plays now because the last time I saw him was a year ago during Youth World Cup in Canada. My impression then was that he still needed to improve but, at the same time, was far better after a year spent in Real Madrid reserves. He advanced to Real Madrid B team this season, but from what I’ve read, he didn’t manage to become a first team regular there. I must see him play for some other team and only then judge if he’s really a national team potential.

Jaroslaw Fojut
Position: DC
Age: 21 years
Club: Bolton Wanderers
Once again, it’s hard for me to write something about his current form because I haven’t seen him lately. He performed well for our youth team in 2007. He was also loaned out this year to Luton Town and, supposedly, managed to impress there. Still, he didn’t play a single game for Bolton last season and only sat on the bench a couple of times. Ideally, he’ll become at least a rotation player this season.

Ludovic Obraniak
Position: ML
Age: 24 years
Club: OSC Lille
I don’t watch the French League so I can’t really comment on his abilities. But the reviews he receives are really encouriging. He was a regular this season for Lille, which speaks for itself. He applied for Polish citizenship this year and, after problems with lost papers, he should receive it at the start of the next season. The only problem is that he played for France’s U-21 and, consequently, shouldn’t be allowed to play for us. On the other hand, Polish scouts are helping him with all the paperwork so they must consider him eligible to represent Poland. Ludovic is very proud of his Polish roots and he wants to play for us to honour his grandfather.

In both parts I wanted to present players who I consider good enough to be current or future national team members. At the same time, I’m very curious which players Leo Beenhakker considers worthy of being given a chance. He has a rare eye for talent and will probably surprise us with some future call ups (as was the case with Zahorski, Pazdan or Kokoszka). Any names you would add to the list?