2011 PFS Rank – Right backs

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 – empty

2^nd place – Marcin Wasilewski (Anderlecht, 09.06.1980, 186/88) – 10.5 points

This wasn’t supposed to be that good year for him. After all those talks about him struggling at Anderlecht last winter, people judged that he simply is not the same player he was when that dirty Axel Witsel jumped on his leg with his studs and broke it in few parts on a summer night in 2009. Polish hearts were broken as well but Wasilewski healed them as well, proving that remarkable comeback is not an accident and he is still the same player – 2011 only proved that as he won new deal at Anderlecht, still is fans’ favorite and finally was asked to come back to the national team in different role. Maybe he will be only a cover for a younger and more complete right-back Poland have (see 1^st place) but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be underestimated in any way – after all, he was the one that showed as that indeed, nothing is impossible.

His great comeback is still surprising me. What a rock of a player he is – Michał Zachodny

Impressive form after injury. Still hard-working, good tackler, maybe it's not so bad idea to use him in the centre of defence in the national team – Andrzej Gomołysek

1^st place – Łukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund, 03.06.1985, 184/76) – 25 points (max)

Nobody should forget that he came to Dortmund for free, from newly relegated Hertha Berlin and without reputation of a top right-back. Now, still one of the top bargains in recent Bundesliga’s history, he is certain of his place at Juergen’s Klopp team and only developing - powerful and fast whenever going forward, a real threat and addition to rich attacking options BVB have, he is also better player when defending, though still learning. Yes, there is a difference to the level he represents at club and for his country but that doesn’t mean he isn’t important link for Smuda – it’s quite the opposite as we can know that in shaky Polish back line there is at least one player we can be certain of. And he was thought to be a striker, while playing in Ekstraklasa…

He should play in the national team at the same level as in Borussia Dortmund – Kibu Vicuna

The best right back in Bundesliga, playing for the champions. It’s been a while since Polish outfield player was rated as high as Piszczek is – Michał Szadkowski

European class, if not say world class. Mature, multifunctional footballer, an addition to the national team for years to come – Maciej Chorążyk

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Mirosław Sznaucner (PAOK, 09.05.1979, 174/68, 4.5 points) Unknown in Poland, he makes quite an impression in Greece where he plays at domestic and European level – with good results too. Jakub Rzeźniczak (Legia Warszawa, 26.10.1986, 180/77, 3 points) Bad end to rather good year for him – despite Legia’s problems in defence, he was one of the better player but after some off-field problem he lost his place in the team, though still fighting for it.  Artur Jędrzejczyk (Legia Warszawa, 04.11.1987, 189/78, 2.5 points) He won the place at Legia in advance of Rzeźniczak and played really well, being also capped for national team. Still making mistakes, rarely going forward but good tackler.

Also ranked: Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznań, 26.01.1984, 184/75, 1.5 point), Marcin Baszczyński (Polonia Warszawa, 07.06.1977, 182/75, 0.5 point)