Polish Soccer Faces Talent Shortage as Young Players Struggle

WARSAW, Poland — Polish soccer is grappling with a concerning issue: the lack of opportunities for young talents in the professional game. Iconic striker Robert Lewandowski raised the alarm during the national team’s March training camp, stating, “There are not many young players visible who are entering the national team.” This statement reflects a deeper problem: many promising youth players are struggling to find consistent playing time at their clubs, particularly among defenders and forwards.

The influx of foreign players into the Ekstraklasa, poor club selection decisions, and contract extension misunderstandings are just some of the factors contributing to this trend. These challenges pose a significant threat to Poland’s youth national team ahead of the upcoming European Championships in June, as well as the senior national team.

One glaring example is Arkadiusz Pyrka, who has been sidelined since declining to renew his contract with Piast Gliwice last winter. He has not been included in any matchday squads since then. “Arek Pyrka is the best young right-back player. He has fallen off the radar for obvious reasons,” said Kamil Kosowski, a former Polish international and Canal+ expert. “The brutal realities of football are evident here. The player, the club, and the youth setup all suffer. There are no winners in this situation.”

Ariel Mosór, a key figure in the U21 defense, participated in every match during the qualifying rounds but has faced setbacks due to injury. After a serious injury sidelined him for two months, Mosór returned to Raków, only to find his playing time diminished once again. “It seemed he would strengthen the squad, but now he is fifth in the pecking order among center-backs,” Kosowski remarked. “Raków is not an ideal place for young players.”

Kosowski explained that while clubs like Raków aim for success, which can entail selling promising players for significant sums, the focus on financial gain can hamper youth development. “You can earn three to five million euros from a young player excelling in the Ekstraklasa, but bigger money comes from European competitions, and the market value of a player who performs well in that arena increases two or three times.”

Patryk Peda has often partnered with Mosór in the youth setup but faced challenges of his own. He was unexpectedly called up to represent Poland’s senior side but has seen little action this season at his club. His situation improved recently, with appearances in two consecutive matches after being loaned out to a club in Italy’s Serie B.

Miłosz Matysik, another important player for the U21s, has struggled since his move to Cypriot club Aris Limassol in January 2024. He has seen limited playing time and has only featured sparingly in the last seven games. Cezary Polak at Jagiellonia has also faced difficulties, appearing only seven times in the starting lineup this season out of 13 matches.

The situation is even more dire for strikers. Filip Szymczak, initially lacking playing time at Lech Poznań, has since been loaned to GKS Katowice, where he plays regularly but only as a substitute. He has not scored this year. Kosowski commented, “Szymczak has made a smart move. He has found a space where he can be competitive and get more minutes.”

Szymon Włodarczyk’s situation at Salernitana in Serie B has been problematic, with limited appearances and only one goal this season. Kosowski noted, “His career has been poorly managed. His transfer to Austria [to Strum Graz] seems wiser; the situation at Salernitana was not ideal for development.”

Meanwhile, Adam Majewski, the U21 coach, faces a dilemma as there are no standout young forwards regularly scoring in the Ekstraklasa. The goalkeeper Kacper Tobiasz, who trained with the national team during the World Cup, has struggled due to injuries and competition for places at Legia.

Michał Rakoczy, once regarded as a major talent, has seen his playing time diminish after a winter move to Turkish club Ankaragücü, where he has only featured as a substitute. Kosowski commented, “Rakoczy is an anomaly of recent years, though he has the potential to bounce back.”

Despite the challenges, some young players are emerging, like Jakub Sypek at Widzew and Filip Rózga at Cracovia. While the core of the youth national team faces difficulties, there are hopeful signs as new talent rises, drawing attention from clubs eager to develop youth talent effectively.