2011 PFS Rank - Defensive Midfielders

This is the second edition of Polish Football Scout Ranking but the rules have changed this year – instead of my own opinions, a selected panel of experts put nominated players in direct order that gave them points – 5 for the No. 1, 3 for the No. 2, 1.5 for the No. 3 and 0.5 for Special Mentions. They were very harsh and at several positions top spots were empty, while at others only one or two footballers deserved to be picked. Out of twelve categories, only three players were given the maximum number of points by each expert and there are definitely few surprises. More information about experts and results in all categories can be found at special page – 2011 Polish Football Scout Ranking.

3rd place – Cezary Wilk (Wisła Krakow, 12.02.1986, 180/74) – 10 points

Was this his best year in the professional football career? Without a doubt – yes. He further developed under experienced eye of Radoslaw Sobolewski (see Special Mentions) and with his rival’s injury, he stormed into the first team, leading the team as a captain. Offering a lot when playing from the back, he sometimes still loses his head but his commitment was never in doubt when Wisła struggled in the second part of the year – he was only one of few who would always give the wise and true explanation of their problems after defeats. Not without a mistake himself, he must improve as rapidly as he did in last twelve months if he wants regain his place for Polish champions and also break into the national team. His attitude will only help him to do so.

Very ambitious in destruction too, however not as good as Polanski nor even Sobolewski. But still relatively young and with quite good skills, he can still improve his abilities in game-reading and positioning - Andrzej Gomołysek

Ambitious. He know what he wants. Fighter, with never-die attitude. A worthy successor of Radosław Sabolewski – Maciej Chorążyk

2^nd place – Eugen Polanski (Mainz, 17.03.1986, 183/73) – 11.5 points

Similar case to Damien Perquis (see Centre Backs) as he only become a Pole in the summer but already proved to be worthwhile addition to the team. Of course, in the process of him gaining the citizenship all hell broken and critics had their wise say about his previous commitment to the German national team, but Polanski decided to go the other way instead of arguing unnecessarily at the beginning – he calmed his head and started working hard for his team and new country, proving his solidness and qualities that were welcomed after first four games in Polish kit. With his experience of top-level football in Germany and Spain our team looks more balanced and is simply better.

He did not save our national team but Smuda’s squad is better with him in it – Michał Szadkowski

He is a tough player, rough at times as well, but solid enough to make him top in Poland – Michał Zachodny

1^st place – Ariel Borysiuk (Legia Warszawa, 29.07.1991, 178/70) – 14 points

Not even twenty years old and he is just ten games short of playing his one-hundredth match in Polish top-flight. Already linked with about a dozen of famous European clubs and under observation of many others, Borysiuk finally played to his potential and fame that gained him the place at Legia when he was just sixteen. He still has a lot to improve, needless to say his tackling is rough at times, he needs to work on short passing but his ball control, long diagonal passes and reading of the game is of the top class and this is not understandable why he misses out on Polish national team – this should be after all a question of his young age but qualities and no one can argue that he hasn’t got what it takes to make it for Smuda’s team.

He is not only a defensive midfielder but also  the best central midfielder in Poland – Kibu Vicuna

Good balance between defence and attack. Maybe not the best by tackling, but better in positioning ant thanks to it, in interceptions. Important part of Legia attacking play as well – Andrzej Gomołysek

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Radosław Sobolewski (Wisła Krakow, 13.12.1976, 182/79, 6 points) Still very valuable player for Wisła and also top captain, leader that is missed by national team. He ages very well indeed, despite recent injury problems. Przemysław Kaźmierczak (Śląsk Wroclaw, 05.05.1982, 191/79, 6 points) Almost unplayable on his day, with his height and calmness, Śląsk improved a lot last season and achieved their best result in recent decades. Injury ruined most of his year and chances to make it to national team but he will be back – already is.

Also ranked: Łukasz Hanzel (Zagłębie Lubin, 16.09.1986, 182/72, 0.5 point), Michał Pazdan (Górnik Zabrze, 21.09.1987, 180/78, 0.5 points)