This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
For one reason or another 18-year-old Mateusz Bogusz has been rarely seen this season.
In fact, since he walked through the doors at Thorp Arch last term, he’s barely had a fighting chance to stake a claim to Marcelo Bielsa.
Having rejected interest from the Premier League and Brighton to sign for Leeds, the midfielder clearly has enormous talent but barring a solitary Carabao Cup appearance, opportunities have been few and far between.
However, a performance for Poland’s U21 side over the international break should have grabbed Marcelo Bielsa’s attention.
On the chalkboard
Bogusz is usually a central player and it’s from that role that he starred in over pre-season, netting a fine strike versus Western Sydney Wanderers.
The teenager made an impressive impact and had fans raving over his potential but we’re yet to see any real glimpses of that in competitive action.
He has the ability to play as an attacking midfielder or slightly deeper in the fray but it was from a wide position where he thrived on Tuesday night.
Playing on the left-wing, Bogusz netted a close-range strike and put in a lively performance that saw his country beat Serbia U21s 1-0.
The display showed his versatility, something that might well benefit him going forward. After all, competition for places in the middle of the pitch seems to be a lot fiercer than in a wide role.
Why are Leeds fans the best in the country? Find out in the video below…
Leeds’ are blessed with a number of promising central players, ranging from Jamie Shackleton and Alfie McCalmont to Robbie Gotts and Bogusz himself.
However, there might well be a vacancy on the flanks in the future. Jack Clarke could well return to Tottenham in January while Pablo Hernandez’s contract is up at the end of the season.
Having made such a big impression from a wide role this week, it’s something that must be at the back of Bielsa’s mind going forward.
Bogusz earned huge praise from his international manager for his display too. Czeslaw Michniewicz told reporters: “Probably not many people in Poland have heard about Mateusz Bogusz, he is three years younger than his oldest colleagues, and he played fantastic in Bialystok against Estonia.
“He is at a similar level as (Poland international) Sebastian Szymanski in his previous youth. He has great talent.”
It was a glowing appraisal for the teenager who has now proven that he has what it takes out wide and in the middle.