ONE TO WATCH: Przemysław Frankowski | OneFootball

Przemysław Frankowski earned his place in RC Lens folklore by scoring the winning goal in the derby against LOSC Lille last weekend. Ligue1.com tells you all you need to know about the Polish international who arrived in France in the summer…

Back story:

Przemysław Frankowski was born in the Polish Baltic port city of Gdańsk on April 12, 1995. He started his footballing career with the local club Lechia, for whom he made his debut in the Polish Ekstraklasa two days after his 18th birthday in April 2013.

After one full season with Lechia he left to sign for domestic rivals Jagiellonia Białystok in 2014, when still aged just 19. He went on to spend five years as a regular with the club from north-eastern Poland. In 2016-17 he scored eight league goals as Jagiellonia finished second in the Ekstraklasa, just two points behind champions Legia Warsaw. They finished as runners-up behind Legia again in the following season.

Frankowski’s form at Jagiellonia earned him a first cap for Poland in March 2018 and he then moved to Major League Soccer, signing for Chicago Fire in January 2019. He made his debut in a defeat to the LA Galaxy a few weeks later. His time in the United States was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic but he still scored 10 times in 64 appearances in two and a half years in MLS and his form was good enough for him to be called up to the Poland squad for Euro 2020 by former Girondins de Bordeaux coach Paulo Sousa.

Frankowski appeared off the bench in all of Poland’s games against Slovakia, Spain and Sweden as his team went out in the group stage. His performances attracted interest from Lens and they moved to sign the 26-year-old just before this campaign kicked off in August, spending a reported €2.3 million to sign the winger on a five-year deal.

Style of play:

“Franckie” is a versatile wide player but as a right-footer he has played most of his football on the right wing. However, at Lens he has slotted in as a left wing-back in the 3-5-2 formation favoured by coach Franck Haise.

His match-winning goal against LOSC showcased what he can bring to the side from that position. Starting high up the pitch, his pace saw him close down José Fonte inside the Lille area and he was then able to pick his spot in the far corner on his stronger right foot. With Frankowski on one side and Jonathan Clauss on the other, Lens have two very attack-minded wing-backs.

Current campaign:

Having arrived in France just before the campaign began, Frankowski made his Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut just three days later as a substitute in the season-opening 1-1 draw away at Stade Rennais FC.

He was used off the bench by Franck Haise in each of Lens’ first three games of the season but he set up an equalising goal for Seko Fofana in the 2-2 home draw with AS Saint-Etienne in Round 2 and also claimed an assist in the 2-0 win at AS Monaco a week later.

“Frankie” was handed his first start in the 2-2 draw with FC Lorient in Round 4 and he has kept his place in the starting line-up since then. Lens were looking for the ideal counterweight on the left flank to Clauss on the right, and they may well have found it with Frankowski.

What you may not know:

Among Frankowski’s team-mates in MLS was Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German World Cup-winning midfielder who finished his playing career with a spell at Chicago Fire between 2017 and 2019.

“His presence was really important. He was always giving me advice and telling me about how Robben and Ribéry used to play,” Frankowski said.

International career:

After his international debut against Nigeria it took another year for him to become a regular with the Polish national team at the start of their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. He got his first goal for his country against North Macedonia in October 2019, but he faded from the reckoning again, not featuring for his country at all in 2020.

However, the appointment as coach of Paulo Sousa led to him returning to the fold in the run-up to the European Championship, where he set up a goal for Robert Lewandowski in their 3-2 defeat against Sweden. Frankowski also appeared off the bench in their recent 1-1 draw with England in Warsaw in World Cup qualifying.

What he said:

“When I was about 14 or 15 I realised that my passion could become my career.”

On becoming a professional player.

“It was a great experience for my family in a city with a big Polish community. I didn’t speak English when I went, so it allowed me to learn.”

On his time in Chicago.

What they said:

“Seeing a Polish player in the Sang et Or again is very symbolic for this club.”

Lens director general Arnaud Pouille on signing a Polish player at a club which in its early days was comprised mainly of Polish immigrants who had come to northern France to work in the mines. Legendary former players include Éric Sikora, who hailed from a family of Polish origin.

“When we speak to ‘Franckie’ in English he is open and always smiling. He is as intelligent as he is good technically. That is helping him settle in. Last year we signed players based on their human side as well as their footballing ability, and this year it is the same.”

Lens coach Franck Haise.

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