Kiwior cements his place at Porto: defensive rock and left-side option | OneFootball

After eight appearances in service of FC Porto, it is almost unanimously agreed that the board led by André Villas-Boas made the right move by securing the Polish center-back from Arsenal on loan with an option to buy. With experience in the Premier League and the Champions League, the number 4 for the Dragons quickly established himself as an undisputed presence in the heart of the defense, alongside compatriot Bednarek, forming a partnership that has shown very positive signs of solidity.

Despite good indications in terms of passing, the 25-year-old player had not yet showcased in Portugal one of his most recognized qualities: the ability to carry the ball forward and create imbalances from the back. In that regard, Monday’s match against Moreirense brought reassurance to the Porto faithful.

Confident in possession, Kiwior completed the most accurate passes in the hard-fought victory in Minho (2-1): 96 successful passes out of 107 attempts. However, the most notable statistic came from his presence in the final third: among the 30 players on the pitch, none delivered more accurate balls into that area than the center-back—17 out of 24 attempts, a 71% success rate. Remarkable numbers for a defender who, close to the 90th minute, moved up for a corner and headed the ball to assist Deniz Gul in the play that sealed Porto’s comeback.

At a stage when opponents are starting to better read Francesco Farioli’s game model, Kiwior proves to be a valuable solution for offering alternatives, including through a more direct style of play. The center-back completed four of the nine long passes he attempted, another useful quality against teams that complicate the build-up in organized attacks. And there’s also the versatility the player offers…

In addition to the center-back position, Kiwior has often played as a left-back for Arsenal and the Polish national team. It was therefore no surprise that he took up that position from the 73rd minute in Moreira de Cónegos, when Francisco Moura made way for Prpic.

Not everything went perfectly when he moved to wider areas, but Farioli quickly made it clear that he counts on Jakub for that role if necessary. “He can perfectly cover that position. What we expect from defenders is quality and physicality,” said the FC Porto coach after the final whistle.

From a defensive standpoint, Kiwior performed with distinction: he won four out of five duels throughout the match and showed confidence in his tackling attempts. If he maintains this level and increases his involvement in the attacking play, there are clear signs that the investment planned for the end of the season—17 million euros, plus €5 million in add-ons—will be fully justified.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.