Scout Report – Kamil Grosicki
Newcastle United continue to be linked with a horde of their names ahead of their return to the Premier League for next season. The Magpies earned automatic promotion back to the English top flight after winning the EFL Championship title and ever since, they have been linked with a move to almost every player possible by the tabloids.
And the latest in that list is Hull City winger Kamil Grosicki. The 28-year old Polish international joined the Tigers in the January window from French side Stade Rennais and made an immediate impact. But he couldn’t save them from relegation. Grosicki finished the season with no goals and 5 assists for Hull from 15 league games.
Prior to his move to Hull, Grosicki had managed to score 4 and set up 3 goals for Rennes from 18 games in all competitions. And having dropped back to the second tier, it looks like he could be headed for a swift return back to the top-flight through Newcastle.
Let’s take a look at who exactly Kamil Grosicki is and what will he be able to bring to the table.
Footballing Background
Born on 8 June 1988, in Szczecin, Poland, Grosicki began his footballing journey with local club Pogon Szczecin. Having risen through the ranks rapidly, Grosicki was promoted to the U19 setup in 2004/05, before making his first team debut in the subsequent season. Having become a regular in the senior setup at Pogon, Grosicki was recruited by Legia Warsaw in the summer of 2007.
However, failing to settle down at the capital club, Grosicki moved on loan to Swiss club FC Sion in February 2008 until the end of the year. The loan spell wasn’t exactly fruitful, and when he returned to Legia Warsaw in December, the new manager put him into the U-21 side, which left him seeking another move away. He joined Jagiellonia Bialystok in February 2009 on a loan spell and made the move permanent in the following transfer window.
After making 70 appearances for Jagiellonia, in which he scored 15 goals and won the Polish Cup and the Polish Super Cup, the winger moved to Turkish outfit Sivasspor in January 2011. He spent 3 years with the Super Lig outfit making 104 appearances with 17 goals before Rennes came calling in January 2014.
Grosicki made an immediate impact on arrival, playing an important role in the French side’s run to the finals of the Coupe De France 2014/15, scoring in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. He went on to become one of their most consistent performers and had made 85 appearances, scoring 14 goals until Hull City signed him this year.
The Hull City man represented Poland U18 and U21 sides before making his debut for the Poland National team in February 2008. Since then, Grosicki has made 49 appearances for them scoring 9 goals, and represented the team in the UEFA Euro 2012 and UEFA Euro 2016 tournaments.
Style of Play
An out and out winger, Grosicki is comfortable on either flank but is at his devastating best on the left wing. He can operate as an attacking midfielder as well.
Much like any typical winger, the 28-year old is good with the ball at his feet and possesses a decent turn of pace as well. A good crosser of the ball, Grosicki is no one-trick pony, as he can easily cut inside from the wide areas to pose a few problems for the defence. Throughout his career, he has made a reputation as a creator, but chips in with quite a few number of goals himself. His set-piece delivery is another strong feature of his game.
However, his work rate and defensive contribution is something that has been held against him, but he did show that he can put in the hard yards during his time at Hull. His passing too isn’t always up to the scratch. A pass percentage of 72% from 15 PL games doesn’t make for a very good reading for a wide player. His small stature means he isn’t all that strong in the air too. But more than makes up for it with his attacking flair.
What Does The Future Hold?
Having proven himself on the Premier League stages in a short time, he will be of interest to several mid-table clubs. The player too might be tempted with a fast return to the big stages again.
Newcastle lack the numbers in wide areas, with Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie the only recognized wingers as Yoan Gouffran could possibly leave. Grosicki might not be the biggest of the names, but he can contribute effectively and will come in with loads of experience too. He might turn out to be a smart addition for Rafael Benitez.