Leeds United signing Pawel Cibicki is a forgotten man at Elland Road, when the last year promised so much more.
When Leeds United attacker Pawel Cibicki casts his mind back over the past 12 months he will not feel they have gone well.
It is one year since Pawel Cibicki was linked with a move to Manchester United, and his stock has fallen since.
The Mirror reported last May: “Manchester United are ready to move for Sweden Under-21 star Pawel Cibicki.
“The Malmo striker, who was born in Sweden of Polish parents, has impressed United scouts and they will watch again during the Euro Under-21s in Poland this summer.”
Cibicki did well at the under-21 tournament, playing four games, scoring once and providing two assists, but it was not enough to sway Manchester United to move.
Ajax, linked in the same report, did not pay up for him either.
Cibicki did clinch a move away from Malmo at the end of the transfer window though, joining English second division side Leeds United.
At least joining a lower tier side should have helped him flourish and player regularly, or so the logic went.
Instead it has proved a disastrous move, with Cibicki failing to establish himself in the Leeds team.
He started five league games under Thomas Christiansen and played twice as a substitute, and showed glimpses of quality, providing two assists.
Hopes for a fresh start under Paul Heckingbottom in 2018 were ill judged, Cibicki did not play a single minute under Christiansen’s replacement, and made the matchday squad on only four of 16 occasions.
If Heckingbottom stays, Cibicki will likely have to push for a move away from Leeds.
His reputation has been damaged by his Leeds failure and his dreams of a Premier League move are long gone for now.
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