Image via @GaziantepFK on Twitter
Poland’s U-21 side secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia on Tuesday evening, as with two games to go in their qualifying group for next summer’s U-21 Euro they are well-placed to head to the play-off round and still retain a chance of automatic qualification.
The U-21’s victory was hard-earned in grim conditions, and it was in no small part thanks to Kacper Kozłowski. Once touted as Polish football’s shining star who would take up the superstar mantle in a post-Lewandowski environment, his career so far hasn’t panned out anything like that.
Incredible enough at Pogoń Szczecin as a teenager that he earned a place in the senior squad under Paulo Sousa, a record-breaking appearance at Euro 2020 and a transfer to Brighton, Kozłowski existed in a permanently loaned-out state during his time under contract with the Premier League club.
Now freshly moved to the Turkish Süper Lig, I quite dismissively suggested this spelt trouble ahead for Kozłowski’s career as unless he has an absolutely standout season at Gaziantep he may struggle to build his way back up to football’s top level. Not to say the Süper Lig is a poor standard of football, I enjoy watching it, merely that it exists in that space below Europe’s Top 5 leagues which to me is a level Kozłowski could still play at.
For a player we have spoken about for so many years, he is still only 20 years of age. Hence why he was able to contribute so effectively against Bulgaria, turning the game on its head with two assists early in the second half. In my opinion, Kozłowski was easily the best player on the pitch, and perhaps this is to be expected considering how long he has played senior football for.
No question about it, Kozłowski will get the chance to add to his six senior Poland caps which he earned in 2021, but we should all recognise that despite his clear ability it likely won’t be any time soon. Kacper Urbański is correctly miles ahead in terms of career and selection, and he has only just turned 20 as opposed to Kozłowski who will be 21 in another month.
All that being said however, Kozłowski would be a great back-up to Urbański, especially if he could replicate the form he showed on Tuesday. Kozłowski has a slightly paltry goals return when you consider he is an attacking midfielder, but he does have a good eye for an assist and his talent is undeniable.
Again, one good half of U-21 football does not necessitate us re-dubbing Kozłowski with grandiose tags about his potential, especially when we’ve already seen the damage getting our hopes up that way does. Rather, if he goes back to Gaziantep and has a season similar to someone like his U-21 teammate Jakub Kałuziński had at Antalyaspor last season, there is another talented young midfielder Michał Probierz (who was in attendance in Bulgaria) can mould into being a useful member of Poland’s national team.
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