Mateusz Kowalczyk – CM – GKS Katowice
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You don’t always need to be the tallest midfielder to be good in the air. Mateusz Kowalczyk is around 5ft 11in, yet won 61.9% of his aerial duels in the figures supplied, which is a useful reminder that anticipation and timing count for plenty.
The 22-year-old has already had a move abroad, joining Brøndby from ŁKS Łódź before returning to Poland with GKS Katowice, initially on loan. They made that move permanent in 2025, and he is under contract until 2028, so this would mean trying to prise away a player they have deliberately invested in. His progression through Poland’s youth sides, including the Under-21s, adds another layer of experience.
What appeals to me is the combination of running and ball-winning. Across 1,026 minutes in the supplied sample, he made 56 interceptions and 112 recoveries, while winning 53.1% of his overall duels. There was a goal and an assist as well, although his value looks to be in helping a midfield function rather than producing spectacular attacking totals.
He feels closer to a player who could compete for a place straight away than a longer development project. That would be reflected in the difficulty of the deal, because an established young midfielder on a healthy contract is unlikely to be available on particularly generous terms. Of the central options here, though, he is one I would be especially interested in watching more closely.
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