Images via Mikolaj Barbanell/Shutterstock
Tymoteusz Puchacz and Szymon Żurkowski, of Union Berlin and Fiorentina respectively, have a big play-time issue ahead of the World Cup. I’ll be writing today about why and how this is happening, and what we can expect going forward.
Both Puchacz and Żurkowski were coming into this season expecting to challenge for first-team minutes off the back of loan spells. Puchacz had been loaned to Turkish champions Trabzonspor, where he got enough time on the pitch at least, and Żurkowski was at fellow Serie A side Empoli, where he started most games and was particularly impressive with his relentless energy.
However, time on the pitch at their parent clubs this season has been hard to come by. Puchacz has played 65 minutes in the Europa League, and despite Żurkowski registering an assist in Fiorentina’s first game of the season, he has struggled to get any meaningful time on the pitch. Żurkowski is believed to have been struggling with a mystery injury, although any details of this are hard to come by.
This was expected by both players and their representatives ahead of the season, and both Puchacz and Żurkowski had pushed to leave, with varying degrees of success. Puchacz was rumoured to be a loan target for some clubs in the Championship in England as well as clubs in Belgium and Holland, before Union Berlin manager Urs Fischer informed Puchacz that he was needed for the cup competitions, something which has only been partly true so far.
The story was much the same for Żurkowski. Supposedly in advanced talks with both Empoli and Spezia, a move was denied at the last minute as it was felt Fiorentina needed more depth in their midfield, and it’s still not clear whether this was the decision of coach Vincenzo Italiano or those higher up at Fiorentina.
Both players would’ve been hoping for regular playing time to mount a challenge for Czesław Michniewicz’s Poland squad for the World Cup. Whilst Żurkowski was included in the last round of Nations League fixtures, making a start in the win over Wales in Cardiff, his place is by no means assured. Michniewicz has been very vocal over the lack of playing time for Żurkowski, going as far as to suggest if matters do not improve the midfielder won’t be selected for the tournament in Qatar.
For Puchacz, the situation is more complex. I wrote in greater depth about his situation, as well as others, in an article a few weeks ago. He should be challenging for that back-up left wing-back role, but with the little time he’s getting, he’s out of the conversation almost entirely.
Going forward, both players need to find clubs that’ll give them the time on the pitch. They both had good options this summer, but were almost obliged to stay at their current clubs. Perhaps Puchacz and Żurkowski will get more playing time, but it’s unlikely to occur before the World Cup.
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