Image via @LaczyNasPilka on Twitter
A new edition of the Uefa Nations League starts this September, and Selekcjoner Michał Probierz has named a refreshed squad ahead of Poland’s games against Scotland and Croatia. In an attempt to address the most interesting stories that have sprung up around this announcement, I’ll be taking it position by position.
Goalkeepers
With the news that Wojciech Szczęsny has called time on his football career (more on that tomorrow), it is little surprise to see the four names listed. Łukasz Skorupski will clearly be No.1 for a little while until we assume Marcin Bułka can be a longer-term solution when it comes to a national team goalkeeper.
The bigger consternation seems to be that Bartłomiej Drągowski and Bartosz Mrozek have been called up, instead of Kamil Grabara who had a very good Bundesliga debut for Wolfsburg against Bayern Munich, despite conceding three goals. Simply put, Grabara has stated many times he has no interest in playing for Poland beyond being the starting or the second choice goalkeeper, and given until Skorupski retires from international duty that isn’t a likelihood in the near future. Also, Mrozek has had a great start to the season for Lech Poznań and I think that is a very justifiable selection.
Defenders
By far the biggest headline is the reintroduction of Kamil Piątkowski, after finally getting regular football, keeping himself fit and keeping clean sheets for Red Bull Salzburg who have had a cracking start to life under former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders. Likewise Mateusz Wieteska had a good game the other week for Cagliari against Roma, so his return is similarly welcome in my opinion.
Slightly perturbing was Tomasz Włodarczyk’s information that despite interest in a loan move, Jakub Kiwior will be remaining at Arsenal until January at the earliest. Given Kiwior might well be fourth, fifth or even sixth choice in his position at his club, this does come as a disappointment given how important he is for Poland, and a lack of regular football could become costly.
Midfielders
Finally we see Mateusz Bogusz get a chance after some stellar performances in the MLS and transfer interest from Celtic, and I would fully expect him to play some part in one of the two games Poland have to play. The same cannot be said of the surprise inclusion Mateusz Kowalczyk, but it is good experience for a young midfielder nonetheless, even if had I been in charge I’d probably have selected Jakub Kałuziński. Jakub Kamiński is also returning after playing very well in pre-season for Wolfsburg after a year spent in the wilderness, which is pleasing.
Perhaps a little concerning is the lack of football that Jakub Moder, Piotr Zieliński and Kacper Urbański haven’t had yet this season, especially given that at Euro 2024 they made up part of Poland’s best midfield in their last game against France.
Also a little disappointing is the lack of a call-up for Michael Ameyaw, after it had been made widespread news he was close to being in this squad and then receiving some shocking online abuse.
Strikers
Up front it’s very much ‘as you were’, and given the goalscoring form Adam Buksa and Krzysztof Piątek have been in, Arkadiusz Milik will have his work cut out getting back into the national team set-up after his injury. Karol Świderski has been scoring at a respectable rate since returning to Charlotte, but you have to say he is far more effective for his country than for his clubs.
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