Images via Mikolaj Barbanell/Shutterstock
There has been quite the debate raging in the Polish media in recent weeks about whether Dawid Kownacki should be going to the World Cup instead of Krzysztof Piątek.
Most of this debate stems from the fact that Kownacki is putting in some seriously impressive performances at Fortuna Düsseldorf in the 2. Bundesliga, with seven goals and six assists in 16 matches after another goal this weekend.
Piątek on the other hand has two goals in eight appearances for Salernitana in Serie A, and one of those was a penalty against Juventus. That being said, Piątek’s general play has been impressive since he arrived in the south of Italy, and he had a good performance against Lazio this weekend as Salernitana pulled off a shock 3-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
I’ve been fairly vocal in my appreciation of both of these players, particularly considering Piątek’s career had hit a wall and Kownacki was on the verge of returning to the Ekstraklasa permanently after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Lech Poznań.
I would like nothing more than to see Poland play with more attacking intent at the World Cup, but given that Michniewicz is a more conservative and defensively-minded coach, that is unlikely. In my opinion, he should be taking Kownacki in addition to Piątek, preferably at the expense of having too much cover at centre-back, which is a position Michniewicz is likely to over-insure in terms of personnel.
Kownacki has the ability to play slightly wider than all of the other striker options, and given how much Michniewicz was banging on about versatility in his squad at one point, you’d think he might take that into consideration.
With just over ten days until the final 26-man squad for Qatar is revealed, now is the time when any injury concerns will open the door for others (such as Jacek Góralski, Adam Buksa and reportedly now Artur Jędrzejczyk). Whilst this is unfortunate, it does give Michniewicz a little less freedom in who to choose, and this could be turned into a positive if he chooses wisely.
If Kownacki, Piątek, or both go to the World Cup, you imagine their time will be limited, but they are nonetheless both great and slightly different options for Poland.
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