Krystian Bielik ‘has to leave’ Wayne Rooney’s recently-relegated Derby County if he wants to play at the Qatar World Cup, Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz tells Sport TVP.
The former Arsenal youngster may have been named in Poland’s squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures with Wales, Belgium and the Netherlands, but Michniewicz had a dose of harsh reality for Bielik when discussing the versatile midfielder’s chances of booking a seat on the plane to Qatar later this year.
Derby’s relegation from the Championship means Bielik, if he stays at Pride Park, will be going head-to-head with the likes of Fleetwood Town, Shrewsbury and Morecambe next term.
Hardly ideal preparation as far as the Poland boss is concerned, especially after The White and Reds were drawn against Argentina and Mexico in a difficult World Cup group.
Will Wayne Rooney’s Derby County keep Krystian Bielik?
“I told Krystian that he would not go to the World Cup playing at League One level. I know he has a two-year contract, but he has to leave,” says Michniewicz. “Even if all the players stay there, including the coach.
“From third-tier level to the World Cup, it will be hard to go and compete with the best. We must have players playing in the best teams, because there will be very little time to prepare.”
Michniewicz believes that Barnsley’s Michal Helik, another Poland international relegated from the Championship, would also benefit from a change of scenery.
“Michal Helik from Barnsley also fell to the third level of the game in England,” the coach says. “So he is also getting ready for a transfer.”
Helik reportedly has offers on the table from the MLS.
Three weeks ago, Derby boss Rooney insisted that he expects to see Bielik, arguably the Rams’ most gifted footballer, albeit an injury-prone one, stay and help the East Midland outfit bounce back next term.
Michniewicz’s warning, however, could change things.
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“Absolutely (Bielik will stick around),” says the Manchester United and England legend, via the Derby Telegraph.
“He is a Derby player, he is contracted to this club. And, unless anything drastic happens, he will still be here next season.”
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