Krystian Bielik

Krystian Bielik (pronounced [ˈkrɨstjan ˈbjɛlik], born 4 January 1998) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a centre back and defensive midfielder for EFL Championship club Derby County and the Poland national team.

Krystian Bielik
Bielik playing for Arsenal U19s in the UEFA Youth League in 2015
Personal information
Full name Krystian Bielik[1]
Date of birth (1998-01-04) 4 January 1998[2]
Place of birth Konin,[3] Poland
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre back / Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Derby County
Number 5
Youth career
Górnik Konin
2012–2014 Lech Poznań
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 Legia Warsaw 5 (0)
2015–2019 Arsenal 0 (0)
2017 → Birmingham City (loan) 10 (0)
2018 → Walsall (loan) 0 (0)
2018–2019 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 31 (3)
2019– Derby County 31 (2)
National team‡
2013–2014 Poland U16 3 (0)
2014–2015 Poland U17 8 (3)
2015 Poland U18 3 (0)
2017 Poland U19 2 (0)
2017– Poland U21 6 (3)
2019– Poland 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:14, 20 January 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:16, 6 November 2020 (UTC)

He first played senior football with Legia Warsaw in 2014, spent the second half of the 2016–17 season on loan at EFL Championship club Birmingham City, and spent the 2018–19 season on loan at Charlton Athletic, helping them gain promotion from League One.

Club career

Legia Warszawa

Bielik started playing football for his hometown club, Górnik Konin before being spotted by Lech Poznań scouts in 2012, and later joining their developmental academy. He won the Polish U-17 Championships with the club in early 2014.[4] However, in July 2014, Bielik joined Lech's archrivals, Legia Warszawa for 50,000 zł (£9,000),[5][6][7] and on 24 August, he made his Ekstraklasa debut against Korona Kielce.[8]

Arsenal
Bielik with Arsenal in 2015

In early 2015, Arsenal agreed a reported £2.4 million deal for Bielik with Legia Warsaw.[9] On 21 January, Arsenal completed the Bielik deal with the Polish midfielder signing for an undisclosed fee, subject to regulatory processes.[10]

Bielik made his senior Arsenal debut in the League Cup fourth round on 27 October 2015, replacing fellow debutant Glen Kamara after 60 minutes of a 3–0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday.[11] He was a member of the Arsenal under-21 team that reached the 2015–16 U21 Premier League Division 2 play-off final, held at the Emirates Stadium in May 2016, in which they beat Aston Villa U21 3–1.[12]

Birmingham City (loan)

On 31 January 2017, Bielik joined EFL Championship club Birmingham City on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[13] He made his debut in the starting eleven for the visit to Preston North End on 14 February, and played the whole match as Birmingham lost 2–1.[14] His next appearance was ten days later, as a substitute after centre-back Paul Robinson was sent off with Birmingham 2–0 up away to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Bielik partnered Ryan Shotton in central defence as Birmingham conceded once but, thanks in part to his "two last-ditch challenges in the closing stages", managed to hold on for the win.[15] Playing on the right of a back three alongside Shotton and Robinson in mid-March against Newcastle United, Bielik contributed to a clean sheet,[16] a performance that confirmed his place in the starting eleven for the next few weeks and encouraged manager Gianfranco Zola to consider loaning him again in 2017–18.[17]

Zola's dismissal coincided with the return to fitness of Michael Morrison and Birmingham's need for points, and incoming manager Harry Redknapp reverted to a back four and prioritised playing to the team's strengths for the last three matches of the season.[18] He used Bielik only in the final match, away to Bristol City, as a substitute playing in front of the defence to help the team hold on to their one-goal lead and thus avoid relegation to League One.[19][20]

Walsall (loan)

A shoulder injury that required surgery prevented Bielik going out on loan in the summer 2017 transfer window,[21] but on 31 January 2018, he signed for Walsall of League One on loan until the end of the season.[22]

Charlton Athletic (loan)

On 16 August 2018, Bielik joined Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan.[23] His first senior goal gave Charlton a 2–1 win against Southend United on 1 September.[24] He scored in the League One play-off semifinals against Doncaster Rovers,[25] and was awarded Man of the Match in the final against Sunderland, a 2-1 victory at Wembley Stadium by which Charlton Athletic secured promotion to the Championship.[26]

He played 34 games in all competitions scoring 4 goals during his spell at Charlton, playing in both centre back and defensive midfielder positions in his time at the club.[27][28]

Derby County

On 2 August 2019, Bielik joined Derby County on a five-year contract.[29] The fee was undisclosed, but reported by the Telegraph as an initial fee of below Derby's record fee paid of £8 million, plus performance-related clauses that could take it "towards the £10 million mark".[30] He scored his first goal for Derby in a 4–0 win over Birmingham City on 29 December 2020.[31]

International career

Bielik was named in Poland's squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship,[32] but did not play.[33]

He was called up for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, at which he scored twice in three matches.[34]

Bielik received his first call-up to the Poland's senior team for UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers in September 2019.[35] He made his debut on 6 September 2019 as a 70th minute substitute in a 2-0 loss to Slovenia.[36]

Style of play

Bielik can play either as a centre back or as a defensive midfielder. He is known for his technique, passing ability and also his aerial dominance off the ball.[37]

Career statistics
As of match played 29 December 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Legia Warsaw 2014–15[38] Ekstraklasa5000—1[lower-alpha 1]060
Legia Warsaw total 5000001060
Arsenal 2014–15[39] Premier League0000000000
2015–16[40] Premier League0000100010
2016–17[19] Premier League0000100010
2017–18[41] Premier League0000000000
2018–19[27] Premier League0000000000
Arsenal total 0000200020
Birmingham City (loan) 2016–17[19] Championship100———100
Walsall (loan) 2017–18[41] League One00———00
Charlton Athletic (loan) 2018–19[27] League One31300003[lower-alpha 2]1344
Derby County 2019–20[42] Championship200001000210
2020–21[43] Championship13200000081
Derby County total 281001000291
Career total 744003041815
  1. Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearances in the League One play-offs

Honours

Arsenal U21

Charlton Athletic

References
  1. "Retained and released lists submitted by Premier League clubs". Premier League. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  2. "Krystian Bielik". UEFA. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  3. "Krystian Bielik". 90minut.pl. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  4. "MP juniorów młodszych – 3. kolejka" (in Polish). 90minut.pl. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. "Krystian Bielik zawodnikiem Legii" (in Polish). Legia Warsaw. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  6. "Klub z V ligi zarobi na wychowanku. Bo Bielik startował z Konina" (in Polish). sport.pl. 16 January 2015. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  7. "Arsene Wenger confirms deal in place for Polish teenager Krystian Bielik". Eurosport. Reuters. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  8. "Krystian Bielik zadebiutował w ekstraklasie. "W nocy budziłem się po 2–3 razy"" (in Polish). Sportowefakty.pl. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  9. "Arsenal sign teenage midfielder Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw". BBC Sport. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  10. "Arsenal complete Krystian Bielik deal". Arsenal F.C. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  11. "Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  12. Evans, Gregg (10 May 2016). "Recap: Arsenal U21 3 Aston Villa U21 1". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  13. "Birmingham sign Arsenal's Krystian Bielik and Watford's Jerome Sinclair on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  14. Dick, Brian (14 February 2017). "Birmingham City player ratings: How Blues performed against Preston". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  15. Garry, Tom (24 February 2017). "Wolverhampton Wanderers 12 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  16. Ireland, Shane (19 March 2017). "Krystian Bielik scouting report: How the Arsenal loanee's Birmingham City career is going so far". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  17. Dick, Brian (6 April 2017). "Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola discusses the future of Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  18. Dick, Brian (8 May 2017). "Birmingham City comment: How Harry Redknapp saved Blues". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  19. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  20. Dick, Brian (7 May 2017). "Bristol City vs Birmingham City live: Adams gives Blues early lead; Blackburn lead at Brentford". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  21. "Photo: Arsenal youngster Krystian Bielik gives update on injury after undergoing surgery". Sports Illustrated. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  22. Masi, Joseph (31 January 2018). "Deal: Walsall sign Krystian Bielik on loan from Arsenal". Express & Star. Wolverhampton. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  23. "Krystian Bielik: Charlton Athletic sign Arsenal midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  24. Mendez, Louis (1 September 2018). "Arsenal loanee Krystian Bielik: I didn't know what to do after my first senior goal wins game for Charlton". London News Online. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  25. Stevens, Rob (17 May 2019). "Charlton Athletic beat Doncaster Rovers to reach the League One play-off final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  26. Gholam, Simeon (27 May 2019). "Charlton 2-1 Sunderland: Patrick Bauer scores last-gasp winner in League One play-off final". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  27. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  28. Benge, James (8 June 2019). "Charlton eye more Arsenal young guns after Krystian Bielik's starring role in promotion push". Football.London. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  29. "Rams sign youngster Bielik from Arsenal". Derby County F.C. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  30. Percy, John (1 August 2019). "Derby County to break club transfer record with £9.5million deal for Arsenal's Krystian Bielik". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  31. "Birmingham 0-4 Derby County". BBC. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  32. Kmita, Maciej (5 June 2017). "Mistrzostwa Europy U-21 2017. Reprezentacja Polski rozpoczęła operację "Złoto"" [2017 European U21 Championships: Poland's team has launched operation "Gold"]. Sportowe Fakty (in Polish). Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  33. "History: Under-21: 2015–17". UEFA. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  34. "Starlet Arsenal fans desperate for Unai Emery to give Krystian Bielik a chance ahead of Shkodran Mustafi as midfielder shines for Poland Under-21s". TalkSport. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  35. Wakefield, Mark (27 August 2019). "Derby County's Krystian Bielik handed first senior international call-up for Euro 2020 qualifiers". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  36. "Slovenia 2-0 Poland". Sky Sports. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  37. Spencer, Phil (2 March 2019). "Krystian Bielik scout report: Arsenal starlet leads Charlton's promotion push with classy show". Football.London. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  38. "K. Bielik". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  39. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  40. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  41. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  42. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  43. "Games played by Krystian Bielik in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  44. Law, James (26 May 2019). "Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
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