Wingbacks Nicola Zalewski and Matty Cash were born in Italy and England, respectively, but they will be Poland’s wings in Qatar! There’s no doubt that Robert Lewandowski will be Poland’s best player again – but we’ve been down this road many times before. The Poles cannot do anything if their goalscorer is the only one up to the job. He needs support.The difference this year is that two wingbacks, the players who will have their say in both defence and attack, the players Poland will rely on – were not born in Poland at all.Poland’s Nicola Zalewski is strong with both feet, so he can dribble to either side of his opponent and cross with either foot. He will almost always look to find Robert Lewandowski and is a huge asset on transition, with his pace and direct running… 🌟🧵 pic.twitter.com/NnUsEfalQd— The Coaches’ Voice (@CoachesVoice) November 18, 2022 Roma wingback Zalewski was born near Rome and worked his way up through the Giallorossi academy to become a firm fixture in the first team – where he received some top coaching for the one and only Jose Mourinho.”Mourinho has given me a great deal. It has been more complicated recently, but I know that I have to train hard, and this period will pass. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, I can play as a left-back or in a more advanced role. I do generally feel that the role of winger suits me better. But I know I have to adapt to any role.”Group C – Is there anyone who can stop Argentina and Messi in their Championship quest?He has made 16 appearances for the club this season between Serie A and the Europa League, which earned him a place in the Poland squad for the World Cup in Qatar. Zalewski could’ve represented Italy but wanted to make his father Christopher’s dream come true. His old man watched and wept from the stands as the then-teenager made his Poland debut against San Marino in September 2021.##NAJAVA_MECA_6824767##On the opposite flank will be Aston Villa’s Matty Cash. Nicknamed the Polish Cafu, the energetic right wingback will gallop up and down the pitch to remove threats in front of Wojciech Szczesny’s net and hopefully deliver a cross or two onto Lewa’s head. Even though he spent his whole life in England, Cash accepted the call of the country of his ancestors. In October 2021, Cash was granted Polish citizenship through his mother and late grandfather, who was born in Poland.🗣 “It’s going to be amazing, never sort of dreamed that I’d play for a country or a major tournament.”Matty Cash appears excited to be representing Poland in the World Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3QewrVDi2Q— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 15, 2022 A month later, Cash received his first call-up to the Poland team for their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary. He would appear in both games and gain five more caps this year, scoring his first goal for his country against the Netherlands in the Nations League. Now Cash will head to Qatar to play on football’s biggest stage and represent the country which is deeply ingrained in his family.”My grandmother and granddad were born in Poland, and my mum is Polish also, so I grew up around a Polish family.”The Poles will face Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Mexico in their group and will get their campaign off and running against El Tri on Tuesday.##SPECIAL_STANDINGS_Group C##
