Another day, another round of transfer stories. Though not all is believable when it comes to the gossip, one rumour that’s been going on for a considerable period of time now and which has also been confirmed by several reputed journalists is that of Polish playmaker Piotr Zielinski’s potential move to Liverpool. While Napoli are thought to have tabled a bid too, Liverpool are considered to be the favourites to his signature as their transfer committee led ‘monitoring’ continues.
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Still aged just 22, Zielinski was named in the Serie A team of the season alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Miralem Pjanic due to his superb showing in the 2015-16 season, making a staggering 35 appearances for loanee club Empoli. In fact, he was the only player outside of the Serie A’s top six to have made the team.
Equally capable of playing out wide, Zielinski’s favoured position is the central attacking midfield or in the hole behind a forward. With a stunning 82.5% pass completion rate, Zielinski’s accurate distribution is one of his biggest strengths, considering he is equally of capable of laying cross-field diagonal passes and long through balls. With the ability to press opponents and excellent dribbling traits, complimented by an impressive work rate, Zielinski is ideally suited to the style of play Klopp employs at Liverpool.
Here are some interesting facts that need to be known about this Polish wonder kid, whom Klopp is so keen to recruit before he takes charge in his first full season in England:
#1 His first coach was his father – Bogdan Zielinski
A 6-year-old Piotr Zielinski started his career at local club Orzel Zabkowice Slaskie, where he was coached by Bogdan Zielinski, his father himself.
An Eagle Zabkowice alumnus, Zielinski senior had always been football crazy, a passion that has infected three sons. Immediately upon completion of the age of majority, he travelled to Germany, training at several amateurish clubs in Dortmund with an aspiration to become a professional. His greatest achievement you’d ask? In the words of Zielinski senior himself, the opportunity to play a friendly against the great Borussia of 1997 is what he will forever remember as the single greatest success of his career.
#2 He has two elder brothers – both professional footballers
“In our house, the ball has always been in the first place. Football runs in the blood, a family tradition.”
These are words of none other than Mrs Zielinski, Piotr’s mother and one can’t help but agree with every word, for the love of the game isn’t limited to just the father-son duo. Piotr has two older brothers – both of whom are professional footballers.
While the eldest of the trio aged 30, Tomasz Zielinski, plays for hometown club Orzel Zabkowice Slaskie in the third division, 25-year-old Pawel Zielinski is contracted with the Polish first division club Slask Wroclaw in the Ekstraklasa.
#3 Aged 14, he rejected a trial at Liverpool
Participating in a two-week training camp in Trutnov, 14-year-old Zielinski caught the eye of a world renowned Polish scout and current player-agent, Bartosz Oldzki. Impressed with the young kid’s tenacity, Oldzki arranged for Zielinski to appear for Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly youth tournament.
Before the match against Liverpool, British agents were left clueless about this new name on the team sheet, ‘Zielinski’. But just 5 minutes into the game they came to terms in a rather harsh manner – the first action, second shot, flew into the top corner. Bayer won the tournament with ease and the Liverpool club representatives, still reeling, offered Zielinski a commemorative pennant and a trial at the Merseyside club.
Surprisingly, a few months later Zielinski ended up signing a contract at Polish club Zagbie Lubin. Asked to offer an explanation for the baffling decision, Zielinski’s father calmly replied – “England is not for him”.
#4 Professional senior debut was handed by current Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin
At the age of 17, Zielinski moved abroad to join the academy at Udinese Calcio after impressing the Italian club’s scouts at an international youth tournament. A year down the line, he was handed his professional senior debut by current Swansea City manager Francesco Guidolin, a 91st-minute substitute for the great Antonio Di Natale against Cagliari at home.
2 assists on his first start against Parma and another impressive display against Lazio prompted a standing ovation from the home crowd and high praise from an absolutely delighted Guidolin.
“When I saw Zielinski three years ago he was practically a child, so skinny and fragile but with two amazing feet. This is why I decided to work with him, as he has the stigmata of a champion.” Great things are in store for the for sure, if his previous manager’s words are anything to go by!
#5 The U15’s to the senior team: Featured at every level for Poland!
At 22, Zielinski has already established himself to merit a spot in the Polish national squad and continues to be a part of Adam Nawalka’s side at the 2016 Euros.
Zielinski made his senior international debut for Poland in a friendly match against Liechtenstein in June 2013. A month later, he had already notched up his first goal, the winner in a 3-2 win against Denmark. With 2 goals and an assist, Zielinski’s finest performance on the world stage came soon after as he ran the show for Poland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier, a 5-1 thumping of San Marino.
Making his debut for the Polish U15’s side in Basel in 2009, Zielinski has represented his country at every level of international football – the U15’s, U16’s, U17’s, U18’s, U19’s, U20’s, U21’s and now at the big stage, the senior team. Quite an astonishing feat, one must say.
