Scout Report: Piotr Zielinski
Liverpool are linked with the 21-year old midfielder from Udinese this past week. Piotr Zielinski, the Polish international is the latest name that is rumoured to be scouted by the reds.
Zielinski is at Empoli on loan from Udinese from the last two seasons. He has scored three goals and five assists this season and the rumoured price is expected to be around £11 million. He is being termed as Joe Allen (a.k.a The Welsh Xavi) replacement in the Liverpool squad.
Joe Allen has 16 months left on his contract and it seems highly unlikely that the board will renew his contract to keep him at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp is rumoured to be impressed by Zielinski and it is speculated that the talks between Liverpool and Udinese will start soon.
Piotr Zielinski arrived in Italy as a 17 year old to Udinese. To continue his progress with regular playing time, he has been on loan at Empoli for the past two seasons. The Polish youngster has become a regular at Empoli and has made 50 appearances for them.
His favoured position is in the middle of the park but can play on the wings and behind the striker too. It’s a very important trait to have in the modern game to play in numerous positions.
At 5″ 8′, Zielinski has quick feet and can pass with both feet. He is known for his passing range and keeps the play ticking at all times. Surprisingly he averages 1.7 key passes per game, the same as Philippe Coutinho this season.
Because of his small built, the Polish international who has represented his country 11 times, is not good in air. His passing accuracy is not Premier League level but all this can be improved with age and under the guidance of Liverpool’s new boot room.
The major difference between Piotr Zielinski and Joe Allen would be the age difference and the potential in the Poland man. Though Allen would be a better choice because of his maturity at this level, Jurgen Klopp has a certain liking for Polish prospects that is seen by the likes of Jakub Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski.
With age by his side, this might be a transfer that is suitable for FSG, whose philosophy to buy young stars with a good selling price has paid dividends till now, Piotr Zielinski might be the next young star to try his might at Anfield.
