Michal Karbownik has been tipped to emulate the likes of Marco Verratti and Joshua Kimmich amid speculation linking the Legia Warsaw wonderkid with a summer move to Leeds United and Celtic.
A 19-year-old talent has exploded onto the scene as a rampaging left-back in his native Poland, contributing seven assists during a superb debut campaign in the capital.
But while there have been plenty of discussions about whether Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold could adapt to a new-look central midfield role, Karbownik has become the subject of a similar debate in his homeland.
There is a growing feeling that Karbownik’s brilliant passing range and defence-splitting abilities could be better utilised in the centre of the pitch, with legendary manager Boguslaw Kaczmarek comparing him to two of the most influential playmakers in world football.
“If he is a full-back, (Legia Warsaw) would earn five million euros from selling him. But if Legia sold him as a ‘number ten’, they would get ten or fifteen million euros,” Kaczmarek muses to Sport.
“In my opinion, the optimal place for Karbownik is in the middle of the field. He could play the same roles as Joshua Kimmich at Bayern Munich or Marco Verratti at Paris Saint-Germain.
“Karbownik is mobile and dynamic.”
Kimmich, of course, blossomed into one of the finest full-backs in the game during his formative years at Bayern Munich.
These days, however, the Germany international is a ‘number six’ of the very highest order, dictating the tempo of a game from the base of midfield.
Marcelo Bielsa is no stranger to changing a player’s formation in order to get the best out of him and, with speculation linking Karbownik with a move to Leeds (Sport), do not be surprised if the teenager is entrusted in an altogether different role.
Celtic have also been linked, via the Daily Record. And considering that Neil Lennon is hardly short of left-backs, the ability to play in midfield could be a useful string to Karbownik’s bow.
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