Image via Mikolaj Barbanell/Shutterstock
It’s fair to say it hasn’t been a straightforward season for Paweł Dawidowicz; suffering a number of minor injuries, he hasn’t been able to hold down a regular place in a Hellas Verona side fighting relegation from Serie A, and he was overlooked for a place at the World Cup.
However, the games Dawidowicz has played for Verona have been good, and it’s clear to see he makes their defence better when he is in it than without him. The decision not to take him to the World Cup was of mild debate, but it was acknowledged that he had been suffering from plenty of little injuries.
Given that Dawidowicz gave a strong account of himself on Sunday night against Roma, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to think he will certainly be in the reckoning when Fernando Santos announces his first Poland squad for the European qualifiers, which start in just over a month’s time against the Czech Republic in Prague. With Kamil Glik recovering from surgery on his knee and Jan Bednarek in inconsistent form (although getting regular game time now back at Southampton) Dawidowicz will certainly be in the reckoning to add to his existing eight caps for Poland.
We don’t yet know if Santos is planning to line up with a back three or a back four, but it’s likely that Jakub Kiwior will be the first choice in this position, and in my opinion Mateusz Wieteska deserves a chance to add to his two caps given how good he has been for Clermont this season. Michał Helik has been solid for Huddersfield and if we’re looking to the future it wouldn’t be out of the question to consider Maik Nawrocki.
If the decision was mine then Dawidowicz would certainly make the squad for the European qualifiers, if not necessarily starting. Central defence is one of the areas that I think Poland have the most strength in depth if we look at club form, and hopefully Santos recognises that he has the options to mix and match centre backs if he wishes.
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