2011 PFS Rank – Foreigners

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 – Maor Melikson (winger, Israel, Wisla Krakow, 30.10.1984, 175/67) – 7 points

His year was so good that they wanted to make him Polish. With his roots that was simply a formality but that ended only in few weeks storm that left him out of both national teams (Polish one and Israeli) but also a bit down as well. It hurt his form when all the hacks simply came down to Krakow to ask him one question only – would he play for Poland? The answer was no and it’s a good choice, despite the need of as tricky and quick winger as Melikson is. He really added different dimension to Wisła’s play – it wasn’t just his races on the wing but all the cutting inside, smart one-twos and clever work in pressing the opponents, that made him one of the most likeable and respected players in Ekstraklasa. The only question left now is how this kind of talent was left unnoticed in Israel for so long?

His first part of the year was amazing – Kibu Vicuna

Most creative league player with good vision and passing. In some moments Wisla's could depend only on him, so when he had worse day or was injured, was irreplaceable – Andrzej Gomołysek

There are games where he is head and shoulders above the rest. So rarely such talent comes to Polish league  - Maciej Chorążyk

2^nd place – Miroslav Radović (attacking midfielder, Serbia, Legia Warszawa, 16.01.1984, 183/74) – 11 points

He finally learned how to stay on his feet. But it is not just like that, that was his best year of the career. Fantastic displays in Europe, quality proven in Ekstraklasa and he is arguably the most important player in Legia’s attacking plan. Finally moved from the wing to more central role, he found himself not only as a good finisher but also passer – after so many wasted months of halpless trying to dribble past Polish defenders. While a year ago he was still irritating, now seems irreplaceable, simple as that. Yes, sometimes he is still the same naïve, diving Radović he was at the start of his career in Poland, but that is just water under the bridge now. Scared defenders are backing off him, really fouling him nowadays as he bursts past them and combines wisely with Ljuboja.

For his revival – not so long ago Legia wanted to get rid off him but now he is the most important link for them – Michał Szadkowski

Wonderful second part of the year have seen him climb to the second place, deservedly – Michał Zachodny

1^st place – Artiom Rudniew (striker, Latvia, Lech Poznan, 13.01.1988, 178/72) – 20.5 points

Best striker in Poland currently. On his day, unplayable for any defender in the Ekstraklasa. Clever movement, always there in the box waiting for his chance, fantastic ability to create himself chances out of nothing – if he only sees half a chance for a defender’s mistake, he goes for it and usually wins it. Great in the air as well, he can finish with both of his legs and one can only imagine where would be Lech now without his goalscoring abilities.

His general problem is, that he is old-type striker and he has to wait for the ball. His general advantage is that he is great old-type striker and when he receives the ball, he is clinical finisher – Andrzej Gomołysek

For his efficiency – he can beat Henryk Reyman’s record of 37 goals in a single season from 1927 – Michał Szadkowski

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Semit Stilić (attacking midfielder, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Lech Poznan, 08.10.1987, 183/75, 3.5 points) Haven’t improved his pace and definitely his form is not as good as it was in 2010 but in general opinion that’s only because of a conflict between him and Jose Mari Bakero. Marian Kelemen (goalkeeper, Slovakia, Śląsk Wroclaw, 07.12.1979, 188/84, 3.5 points) What a great year for him, if you take out small injury that happened in the last few months. But he was more than solid for Śląsk, brilliant stopper and great at crosses, he will be remembered for that great night in Sofia where he saved two penalties to give Śląsk promotion to another round.

Also ranked: Prejuce Nakoulma (winger, Burkina Faso, Górnik Zabrze, 21.04.1987, 178/76, 2 points), Dudu Paraiba (left-back, Brazil, Widzew Lodz, 11.03.1985, 181/71, 1.5 point), Cwetan Genkow (striker, Bulgaria, Wisla Krakow, 08.02.1984, 186/77, 0.5 point), Robert Jeż (central midfielder, Slovakia, Polonia Warsaw, 10.07.1981, 178/72, 0.5 point)