With 2011 almost behind us, and I must say it has been a very positive year for Polish players across Europe. In celebration of a great year I wanted to come up with the best possible starting 11 - composed of Polish players based on their performance this past year.
Striker - Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) - 12 goals and 6 assists, he has already surpassed his last years total and looks to be in fantastic form. On top of that he has been scoring regularly for the national team, including one vs. the Germans in a high tempo friendly.
Attacking Midfielder - Adrian Mierzejewski (Trabzanspor) - 7 assists in the Turkish Super Lig is pretty good for a start, he also came close to scoring several times and if he continues in the right direction should be one of the top players.
Left Winger - Slawomir Peszko (FC Koln) - Peszko has really come around since leaving Lech, he has fit in well and made strides especially fighting for a starting spot in the Bundesliga. Although his finishing is at times horrid, he continues to set up goals. This year statistically he is at 4 assists and 1 goal.
Right Winger - Kamil Grosicki (Sivasspor) - A wonderful year for him since joining, he has 5 goals to his name and some of them scored in world class fashion. Unfortunately, Smuda continues to omit him from the NT. A close second was Legia's Maciej Rybus who has 4 goals in all competitions and several assists.
Midfielder - Cezary Wilk (Wisla Krakow) - Despite the teams demise in their CL campaign and an awful start in Europa. Wilk has been playing well and trying to keep the team in tact despite several key injuries that have stalled their progress. I give him this nod based on his good form and wonderful goal vs APOEL.
Defensive Midfielder - Ariel Borysiuk (Legia Warszawa) - The young Polish talent has been playing extremely well in both defense and attack. He has done well vs big time European competition such as Spartak, PSV, and Rapid. His call up for the NT is only months away..
Left Wingback - Jakub Wawyrzniak (Legia Warszawa) - Up and down games on both the NT and league, but has shown a great ability to get up and help offensively. Has provided several assists and helped Legia progress out of the group stages.
Central Defense - Micheal Zewlakow (Legia Warszawa) - There is nobody playing better than Zewlakow not even Glowacki. He is by far playing above his age and then also helping develop the teams great youth players. Although, he may be good enough for the NT anymore, his form deserves this nod.
Central Defense - Piotr Celeban (Slask Wroclaw) - Another player that has offensive and defensive skills that are helping his team stay on top of the league. Great form, but Smuda continues to over look him. He needs to get the nod and partner up with Perques, because we all know he will not bring back Zewlakow.
Right Back - Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund) - Probably the best defender Poland has seen in the last decade. There is nobody that has the same skill set as our offensive defender. Continues with great form and will be our key for Euros.
Goalkeeper - Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) - Has stood on his head numerous times for our NT already, and is become a Class player in the EPL. The most interesting aspect is that he is only in his early 20's he has a lot of years of growth but will develop into a solid World Class keeper.
Happy New Year everyone!!! Hope this year will be even better for each and everyone of you and of course for Polish soccer. With two clubs in the final 18 it is something to celebrate lets hope for some great signings and a wonderful Euro 2012.
Feel free to comment on the list and include any of your suggestions.
"There is nobody playing better than Zewlakow not even Glowacki" HAHA, that's not saying much. lol.
ReplyDeleteboenisch- glowacki -perquis- piszczek
ReplyDeletethat will be the starting line-up for the euros. zewlakow at 36 would have been to old for next summer. Borysiuk instead of Polanski? not sure..
I think Matuszczyk will establish himself as our best CDM if he gets regular playing time. Polanski is probably only 3rd or 4th.
ReplyDeleteyour opinion is terribad.
ReplyDeleteMatuszczyk isnt playing the same position as peszko at cologne?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what Smuda's problem with Grosicki is? Did he catch him in bed with his wife?
ReplyDeleteDon't know what position he plays at Cologne, but Matuszczyk has really only played as a CDM for us. Polanski is slow and uncreative...one might even say "terribad." The only thing he brings that Murawski and Dudka don't is a Bundesliga pedigree. Plus, his form has been really bad this year.
ReplyDeleteMan, I love this site. Where are u guys based?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOU GUYSSSS(L)(L)(L)
ReplyDeleteMatuszczyk is more of a central midfielder while Peszko is out on the wing... there was some media noise about Matuszczyk switching clubs about a month ago, he needs to at least sew up a loan deal to get some serious playing time. Our central midfield does have a lot of decent players, but we need them to be match fit and in their best form during the Euros.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope that prediction of a starting defensive line-up up there^^ for the Euro is wrong, I will cry if Glowacki is starting for us. "Terribad."
Happy New Years guys!
ReplyDelete