Image via @LaczyNasPilka
Earlier this afternoon Czesław Michniewicz revealed the 26 names going to Qatar. Whilst there were the obvious picks like Lewandowski, Zieliński and Szczęsny there were also some fairly contentious choices he made.
This article is going to be mostly my opinion, so feel free to disagree with it, but there are at least three selections I have serious issues with.
Firstly, let’s discuss the inclusion of Artur Jędrzejczyk. Surprisingly, this is a selection I don’t have as much of an issue with as most. He’s versatile and playing regularly, two criteria Michniewicz claimed was important to him back in September before he announced the Nations League squad. There are lots of fans clamouring for Paweł Dawidowicz instead, and whilst this is understandable he hasn’t been playing regularly enough at Hellas Verona to earn a place going on Michniewicz’s September criteria.
Unfortunately, this is where Michniewicz takes leave of his senses and abandons his previously espoused words in favour of some left-field (I think that’s the kindest way of putting it) selections.
Firstly, Kamil Grosicki, an Ekstraklasa retiree (essentially) is being taken to the World Cup. If this was me choosing who goes to the tournament, Grosicki is taking a place better served by any one of Dawid Kownacki, Michał Karbownik or Kacper Kozłowski. As much as I have fond memories of Grosicki from Euro 2016, how the man is in the squad is beyond me. If he actually gets on the pitch in Qatar, I’ll be stunned, although who knows if the situation will call for him (it won’t).
Next, the inclusion of Damian Szymański. He’s a decent central midfielder, sure, but I don’t get taking him instead of a younger more promising midfielder in Kozłowski. Szymański is an occasional starter in Greece, Kozłowski is arguably Poland’s next big thing after Lewandowski departs the scene. Kozłowski’s omission isn’t getting as much attention as Kownacki’s absence, but it’s another strange decision from Michniewicz.
Lastly, Szymon Żurkowski. It’s with a heavy heart I say this as I like him as a player, but he shouldn’t be in the squad if Michniewicz was keeping to his own words. Żurkowski had a great season in 21/22, but has only played 78 minutes of club football so far this season. Whichever way you look at it, that’s not enough, even for a player of his calibre.
So what do we take from this? Given everything else rumoured about Michniewicz, not to mention his supposed taking a journalist to court after this tournament, my goodwill for the man is running out fast. It would please me enormously to see this squad do well at the World Cup, but I can’t see it with Michniewicz at the helm. I’d be delighted if I’m proved wrong and will happily recant the words written today if these questionable selections have positive impacts.
Some of Michniewicz’s comments seem deliberately baiting. He said on Sunday he would take four goalkeepers, only to take three (and I’d have taken Grabara instead of Skorupski, but it was fine margins between them). That’s a lie I can get behind. However, to abandon his alleged principles of selection (versatility and regular play-time, as mentioned previously) in favour of some fairly weak choices is mind games at best and shamelessly dishonest at worst.
Furthermore, the squad looks like Poland will be resorting to the tactics of “sit back for 90 minutes, hoof the ball to Lewy” given how many defenders and defensively-minded midfielders have been included. This is another disappointment, and if Grosicki, Damian Szymański and Żurkowski were swapped out for Kownacki, Karbownik and Kozłowski it would look a more balanced squad to me.
I really feel for those omitted three mentioned, not least because their form deserves it (Kownacki and Karbownik especially). Let’s hope that Michniewicz knows what he’s doing with the first group game against Mexico just 12 days away.
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