World Cup 2022 – Squad Preview: Poland

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Poland are struggling to replicate the successes of teams from the past but manager Dragon Stojkovic has named a squad that contains many familiar names who have taken part in plenty of tournaments.

Age is a concern though with many probably approaching their final World Cup. 

Wojciech Szczesny of Juventus will be expected to take his place as first choice in goal even if his club form has dipped recently. Bartłomiej Drągowski had been originally been announced, but had to drop out after breaking his leg playing for Spezia. Cercle Brugge’s Radoslaw Majecki also misses out. 

In defence, there are concerns over the aging pair of Jan Bednarek and Kamil Glik. The former has seen playing time limited at Aston Villa this season and Glik has had injury worries recently.

Fellow veteran Artur Jedrzejczyk was called up despite not playing for his country since 2019. This is perhaps due to the exclusion of Maciej Rybus for joining a Russian club. Matty Cash and Bartosz Bereszyński will compete for the right-back spot. 

In midfield, the reliance on experience has perhaps been at its greatest. Grzegorz Krychowiak of Al-Shabab and Kamil Grosicki of Pogon Szczecin, and both in their mid-30’s have been included. Erratic international form of the former has also caused worries. Jakub Moder has missed out due to injury and Torino’s Karol Linetty was left out.

The main creativity of the side will be through Sebastian Szymanski and Piotr Zielinski who have been in sparkling form for Feyenoord and Napoli respectively. 

Their real star power comes with the presence of Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona. As captain and all-time goal scorer, much of the expectation will be upon him. The question will be how to great the best out of him.

Serie A pair Arkadiusz Milik and Krzysztof Piatek will be charged with providing him the ammunition as necessary.

Goalkeepers: Kamil Grabara (FC Copenhagen), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus).



Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa), Bartosz Bereszynski (Sampdoria), Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Kamil Glik (Benevento), Robert Gumny (FC Augsburg), Artur Jedrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw), Jakub Kiwior (Spezia), Mateusz Wieteska (Clermont), Nicola Zalewski (Roma).

Midfielders: Krystian Bielik (Birmingham City), Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens), Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Jakub Kaminski (VfL Wolfsburg), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Al-Shabab), Michal Skoras (Lech Poznan), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Sebastian Szymanski (Feyenoord), Piotr Zielinski (Napoli), Szymon Zurkowski (Fiorentina).

Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus), Krzysztof Piatek (Salernitana), Karol Swiderski (Charlotte FC).

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile