Polish footballers are becoming rather fashionable of late, mainly due to the success of the trio at Borussia Dortmund. Of course I am talking about Poland’s most high profile stars: Robert Lawandoski, Lucasz Piszcecz and Jacob Blaszczykowski. All of which have been linked with moves to top European clubs. Striker Lewandoski is a reported target of Manchester Utd, right back Piszcecz with Real Madrid and winger Blaszczykowski with Liverpool.
I have a Polish friend, called Jacek, who keeps me informed with football matters in his native homeland. He also coaches me on the elocution of pronouncing their names correctly. Recently he has bought to my attention the next hot property in Polish football. He goes by the name of Arkadiusz Milik.
Arkadiusz Milik is an 18 year old striker that plays for Gornik Zabrze. His career began with Polish club Rozwój Katowice, where as a pubescent 16 year old he scored 2 goals on his debut. In November of the same year he went on loan to current club Gornik Zabrze, scoring 1 goal in 2 appearances. It was enough to earn him a trial period with Tottenham Hotspurs, Reading and Legia Warszawa. None of the clubs however, seemed impressed enough to negotiate a permanent move. Back at Rozwój Katowice his season’s statistics showed 4 goals in 10 games.
In July 2011 Milik ignored interest from other clubs to sign for Polish top flight club Gornik Zabrze, for 500,000 Zlotys. In UK Sterling that’s approximately £100,000. During his first full season he managed a relatively disappointing 4 goals in 24 appearances.
This season tells a different tale. At international level he scored 4 goals in 6 games for the U19’s. In the league this season he has notched an impressive 5 goals in 7 games. His form has been enough to earn him 3 International caps at senior level. One of which included coming off the bench against England yesterday.
Milik is of a similar height to Lewandowski, but unlike his elder counterpart is a left footer. So far this season Milik is outscoring Lewandowski , scoring a goal every 1.4 games compared to Lewandowski’s 1 in every 3. Admittedly Milik is playing in a far weaker league, but you can only score where you are playing. His market value currently stands at around £1.5m, but is rising fast. With Manchester United and, of course, Borussia Dortmund showing keen interest he is worth keeping an eye on.
Oh, and if any of you were wandering what Jacek’s thoughts on Tuesday night’s ‘roof farce’ is, he lays the blame firmly in the hands of FIFA!
Here's the customary YouTube video of Milik's best bits:
image: © polandmfa
Simon Bunn
I possess a swashbuckling attitude towards football writing, aiming to pillage the most exciting and thought provoking topics in the business. Blessed with savvy up to date football knowledge, a dangerous obsession for Aston Villa FC, and a mind of alternative thinking, I welcome all readers aboard.
The Billionaire's Apprentice
The Buy Side: A Wall Street Trader's Tale of Spectacular Excess
