Image via Mikolaj Barbanell/Shutterstock
Spezia travel to the San Siro tonight to face AC Milan, and given the Rossoneri are six points off the top and Spezia are just three points away from the relegation spots, it’ll be a tough test for the visitors.
Hoping to repel the potent Milan attack of burgeoning superstar Rafael Leao and World Cup winner Olivier Giroud (as well as their supporting cast) will be Jakub Kiwior. The 22 year-old centre-back has become a leader since he became a regular starter at Spezia in January. It’s also been pleasing to see his rapid progression in the national set-up, with many pundits in Poland naming him the country’s best centre-back ahead of experienced options like Kamil Glik and Jan Bednarek.
Kiwior plays at the heart of Spezia’s back three, and in this regard his role is slightly different to that with Poland. It’s a role that has won him such plaudits that reports in Italy and Poland have named Kiwior as an alleged transfer target for Milan and Juventus in January. Milan’s interest is said to have been long-term, whereas the reported Juve interest has only developed as a result of his impressive performances this season, including against Juventus.
Kiwior turned down a move to West Ham in the summer in order to maintain a starting spot ahead of the World Cup, and so far this seems to have worked out well for him. Whether he will help his fellow countryman Bartłomiej Drągowski keep a clean sheet tonight we will see, but it’s nice to see Kiwior’s stock continue to rise ahead of a visit to a team he may potentially be turning out for in the near future.
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