Winter Transfer Report: Brożek Twins To Trabzonspor, Peszko To Koeln and Glik To Bari.

January 6th, 2011 | by: tomasz | Comments(10)

The current transfer window in Poland is far more interesting that I expected. First of all, the ‘eternal’ talent of Polish football, Paweł Brożek, finally left Poland (together with his brother Piotr) to play for the Turkish league leaders Trabzonspor. Even earlier Sławomir Peszko decided to capitalize on his impressive Europa League performances and moved to his dreamt of Bundesliga. Finally, Kamil Glik, unable to make any sort of impact at Palermo, will try to rescue his Italian career at Bari.

Paweł and Piotr Brożek (Wisła Kraków-Trabzonspor): this move comes as a very surprising one as I thought that the Brożek twins will stay in Poland to the rest of their playing days. Paweł Brożek was once the biggest talent in Polish football and has developed to become one of the deadliest Ekstraklasa strikers. There is common belief that if he moved abroad 3-4 years ago he’d have a chance to become a European level striker. He definitely had the talent to do so. The problem with Brożek, however, was always his uncompetetive character, which lead him to rejecting possible moves abroad and opting for a safe haven in Kraków and the Ekstraklasa. Eventually, this resulted in Brożek’s stagnation and largely unimpressive last two seasons (for his standards). It seemed that he’d settled to become a big fish in a small pond for the rest of his career. The offer from Trabzonspor was a shock for me, especially that Brożek is now in much worse form and shape than he was two years ago. On the other hand, maybe that’s why Wisła finally decided to let go of their star striker and lowered their transfer demands. If Brożek moved in his heyday then I’d be confident of him succeeding in Turkey (just as Mirek Szymkowiak did). In 2011 I’m not so sure, especially that he’s going to face a fierce competition for the place in the starting lineup (Umut Bulut- more than 10 goals in each of his seasons for Trabzon, 7 goals this season, Jaja- 6 goals this season, moved for 4M from Metalist Kharkiv half a year ago). Still, even though it’s a risky move from Brożek, it’s a risk worth taking as this can be the only way he can further develop as a player. This means a new challenge for him and if he can succeed in it we may have a new, changed, mentally strong and confident Brożek available for the national team. The next half a year will be decisive, I read that Turkish fans and club owners are not very patient with their new purchases. As for Piotr Brożek, he comes as a bonus to his brother’s Paweł transfer. His contract was to end this year so it was the last chance for Wisła to make any profit on him and he didn’t cost Trabzonspor much. As a left footed, versatile player (left back, left midfielder, started his career as a striker) he should get a fair amount of playing time in Turkey. This move is a chance for him to return to the national team. Smuda will surely watch the Brożek twins and Głowacki at Trabzonspor this year.

Sławomir Peszko (Lech Poznań-FC Koeln): Peszko’s transfer was inevitable really. He was to move half a year ago (offers from Wolfsburg and Panathinaikos), but prolonged his contract with Lech after all. What he left in the contract was a very small minimum release fee: only 0,5M€. After his good performances on the European stage it was clear that it’s the perfect time for him to use this clause. He signed a high and well constructed contract with FC Koeln: it will be prolonged if Koeln avoids relegation or he’ll be allowed to leave for 0,5M€ if they get relegated. Now everything depends on Peszkin and his initial games for Koeln. I like the fact that they didn’t buy him only because of the bargain price; Koeln’s manager stated that he was the top of his transfer list. Peszko is to play on the wing and provide crosses for Lukas Podolski and Milivoje Novakovic. His assimilation in the team should be also easier with the help of both Podolski and Adam Matuszczyk. However, in my opinion he needs to change something in his game in order to succeed at Bundesliga level. I feel he needs to improve his decision making; his game is far too chaotic at times, he shoots from unprepared positions or postpones a pass. While it adds an amount of unexpectedness to his game, in most situations it’s largely irritating. I don’t know how much patience the Koeln manager Frank Schafer will have towards Peszko. I give him 50% chance of success.

Kamil Glik (Palermo-Bari, loan move): Glik turned out not to be a good enough player to break through at Palermo. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, that’s a very good club and a thought that someone coming from a relegated Ekstraklasa side would earn a lot of playing time there was far too optimistic. However, if Glik fails at a relegation threatened Bari as well it will mean that he’s just not good enough to play in top European leagues, even for the weaker clubs. He had an offer from Wisła as well, but decided to stay in Italy and have one more shot at Serie A. It’s a wise choice as far as I’m concerned as it would be hard for him to ever succeed in Serie A if he was to move back to Poland. Now he should at least get a chance to debut in Italian top flight and show what he is and isn’t capable of. Next season, if Glik wants to participate in Euro 2012, he will have to play regularly, be it Italy or Poland.

Other transfers: Mariusz Pawełek (Wisła Kraków-Konyaspor): the Wisła goalie, well known for regular bloopers, rejected the new contract offer from the Biała Gwiazda and moved to one of the bottom of the table Turkish clubs. It’s sad that a poor Turkish club is able to offer much better contract conditions than a Polish powerhouse. Pawełek’s antics will be missed.

Hubert Wołąkiewicz (Lechia Gdańsk-Lech Poznań): Wołąkiewicz will move to Poznań on a free transfer in the summer or for a low transfer fee in winter. It’s a big step forward in his career and a one that may strengthen his position in the national team. It may also mean that Lech is taking into consideration the sale of Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Red Bull Salzburg was reported to be interested).

Transfer rumours: Kamil Grosicki (Jagiellonia Białystok-Sivasspor, Aris Thessaloniki): I read that Jagiellonia has already accepted Sivasspor’s offer, but the player himself is rather reluctant to move. I agree with Grosik, it’s a bigger challenge to fight for the Polish championship rather than play for an average Turkish team. I’d prefer Grosicki to stay in Poland for another half a year, especially that he already has an unsuccessful move abroad under his belt. If Jagiellonia wins the title he may get much more interesting offers in the summer.

Szymon Pawłowski (Zagłębie Lubin-Lech Poznań): Lech has got Jacek Kiełb, but they also consider Pawłowski a candidate to replace Peszko on Kolejorz’s right wing. The problem is that Zagłębie has no intention of letting go of their star player, definitely not for the price that Lech received for Peszko (0,5M€). It would be a great move for the player, but with Lech’s cautious transfer strategy I can’t see it happening.

Janusz Gol (GKS Bełchatów-Legia Warsaw): Legia is interested in acquiring Gol on a free transfer in the summer. It would be a brave move from the Bełchatów defensive midfielder as he’d have to compete with Ivica Vrdoljak and Ariel Borysiuk for a place in the squad. It would be better for him to move to a team that really needs him.