Euro 2012: Players to Watch - Vaclav Pilar (Czech Republic)

A summer wouldn’t be a summer without the footballing world casting a firm eye on a major International Tournament. This time, it’s the turn of UEFA’s European Championships to take centre stage in the ever-growing limelight of the Global Game.

With the worrying issue of racism threatening to overshadow the competition – hosted by Poland and Ukraine – I feel it’s imperative that we channel our expectant gaze over something more positive. In the coming few days, I’ll outline some of the brightest prospects in European football who will, no doubt, make an appearance at sometime in the tournament.

Václav Pila? – 23 – Wolfsburg & the Czech Republic

Background Born in the small, northern Czech town of Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Pilar has certainly kept his feet on the ground. After a fine season at Hradec Králové in the 2010/11 season, the humble winger completed a loan move to Gambrinus Liga winners Viktoria Plzen. At the time, it seemed an extravagant move for the inexperienced Pilar, but this has ultimately earned him the respect and recognition that he fully deserved. With Viktoria Plzen making their long-awaited Champions League debut, it was his performances against reigning champions FC Barcelona which elevated him head and shoulders above his team-mates. In November 2011, after only three months at Viktoria Plzen and rejecting a long-term contract at his new club, Vfl Wolfsburg signed Vaclav Pilar for €880,000 – turning heads among some of Czech football’s hierarchy. This transfer coincided with his first international goal, against Montenegro, in a match which proved vital for his country’s qualification for the tournament that he’s set to star in.

It was his form throughout his solitary season at Viktoria Plzen, not to mention his courageous outings against Spanish Giants Barcelona in Plzen’s debut Champions League campaign, which earned him a place within the Czech Republic’s relatively strong Euro 2012 squad. Accompanied by Arsenal‘s Tomas Rosický, Bordeaux’s Jaroslav Plasil and prospective Wolfsburg team-mate Petr Jirácek, he’s encased in a wealth of international regulars; experienced players with appearance figures which by far eclipse the 10 caps that Pila? has achieved so far. Not only will this provide him in good stead for the promising future that lies ahead for the ‘old fashioned’ winger, but it will give him a solid platform for him to thrive off, a platform which could make Europe sit-up and take notice of him.On the Pitch His overall mentality on the pitch is impressive. Not only does he look to take on his defender, but he regularly gets past them with considerable ease. He’s a welcome cast back to the ‘old fashioned’ winger – receiving the ball in an advanced position before looking to dribble directly at the defence, causing them substantial problems. His ability to use either foot is an invaluable trait to possess. This ability is complemented by the sheer speed of his footwork- footwork which could grace any top European League anytime soon. Cutting in from his natural left-hand side, he caused problems for Russia throughout his nation’s opening match of the Euro 2012; so much so, he bagged himself a fine goal, latching on to a Jaroslav Plasil ball before rounding Russia’s Malafeev with great composure. His movement for the goal, Pila?’s second international goal, earned him that goal alone. It was Russia’s marauding right-back, Alexandr Anyukov, who played him onside, but he found the space with a fantastic run and the resultant finish was exemplary.

Conclusion?

He’s definitely a player I’d keep a keen eye on as the tournament progresses. His performance against Russia showed a small glimpse of what he can do, even if his nation suffered a comprehensive defeat. His goal backs up my point made earlier on my Twitter account – he was the only bright light within a dim, fading team performance from Michal Bílek’s side.

In my opinion, some of Europe’s bigger clubs will be taking notice of the young Czech, but he looks set to enjoy at least one season with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg where he can test himself in a more physical league before any thought of moving to another club.

For €880,000, Wolfsburg may well have acquired one of the bargain’s of this summers’ transfer window, leaving many a club disappointed, to say the least.