Kiwior builds an iron curtain as eight successive clean sheets on loan at Porto. The consistency is the feature of a good defender in the football environment. In that respect, Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior builds an impressive reputation. The Polish international has been at his best in both club and country. He have recorded an impressive record of eight clean sheets in the games he has played.
It is an impressive run that brings to focus a spell of defensive stability to the 25-year old. He is in the season on loan to Portuguese giants FC Porto. His run marks great performances at the international scene with Poland, with wins over New Zealand and Lithuania. He has carried on to his club career like when Porto won the Taca de Portugal by 4 goals to none over Celorensive.
A Meteoric Start in Portugal
The loan transfer of Kiwior to Porto closed completion on 1st of September. Since then, he has already turned out to be a resounding success. He left an immediate impact. His debut with the club came with 5 clean sheets in the first five games. This gained him instant popularity among the Porto supporters.
Neither has his performances in continental competition stayed in ignorance. Kiwior got his acknowledgement in various official Europa League Teams of the Week following a star performance in a Europa League match Porto against RB Salzburg, where he made an important clearance off the line and completed 93 percent of his passes. This proves that he is not merely a participant in this matter, but a pillar of defense to his new team.
More Than Just a Defender
Although the clean sheets do much of what they say, they do not tell all. Kiwior has proved his diversity and calmness on the ball, which he had once perfected in Italy in Spezia, where he played as a defensive midfielder. The same qualities are apparently being exploited by his current manager. He is putting the trust in him to contribute towards play construction at the back.
Author’s Opinion
This successful loan spell is a win for all parties. For Kiwior, it provides the regular game time he desired to continue his development. While for Porto, they have acquired a defender in peak form. For Arsenal, his performances have certainly boosted his value.
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