Grzegorz Krychowiak

At 34 years old, Grzegorz Krychowiak has this physical status:

Club career

Despite initially not a big fan of football, Krychowiak became interested in the game at his brother's behest and left the country at the age of 12 to attend a sports academy. He then joined various sports academy, including Orzee 94 Kobeg, Stal Szczecin, and Arka Gdynia.

Krychowiak's performance at the France U16 and Poland U16 in Strasbourg attracted attention by Philippe Goubet, causing him to join Bordeaux in 2006. He then progressed through the ranks of the club's youth team and signed his first professional contract with them.

Krychowiak joined Championnat National club Stade de Reims on loan until the end of the season, having previously refused a return to Poland and joining Arka Gdynia. In a 3–0 victory over Beauvais Oise on November 27, he made his club debut and started the whole game. Krychowiak quickly became a regular in the starting eleven and scored two goals to help the club win promotion to Ligue 2. He made 19 appearances and scored twice in all competitions at the end of the 2009–2010 season.

Reims and Bordeaux have agreed to keep Krychowiak's loan for another season. In a victory over Troyes in the first round of the Coupe de la Ligue, he then scored his first goal of the season in a 2–2 draw against Le Mans. In a 2–0 victory over Angers two weeks later, he was sent off for his second bookable offence. Later in the 2010–11 season, Krychowiak sustained suspension on two occasions. Despite this, Krychowiak was a regular starter in the club's return to Ligue 2 and was voted player of the team by fans as the team's player of the season. Despite the fact that Krychowiak often plays as a defensive midfielder, on rare occasions he has also appeared in central defense. In all competitions, Krychowiak made 40 appearances and scored two times.

Krychowiak made his return to Bordeaux in 2011-12 season after all of this.

However, Krychowiak's return to Bordeaux in the first half of the 2011-2012 season restricted him to two appearances. He joined Nantes on loan until the end of the season on November 17, 2011, which was on November 17th.

In a 3–0 victory over AS Monaco on November 25, 2011, Krychowiak made his debut for the club as a starter. He continued to play in the defensive midfield position since joining Nantes and was consistently a first team regular. At one point, Krychowiak held the center-back position. Despite being banned on three occasions later this season, he went on to make 21 appearances in all competitions.

Krychowiak was first promoted to Ligue 1 in June 2012 and signed a three-year deal with Stade de Reims. According to reports, the move cost €800,000.

In a 1–0 loss to Marseille in the club's first game of the season, Krychowiak made his third appearance for the club as a starter. He quickly established himself in the starting eleven after joining Stade Reims on a permanent basis, starting in the defensive midfield position. With a 2–0 victory over AS Nancy on September 20, 2012, he compared Zlatan Ibrahimovi to Zlatan Ibrahimovi after he set up one of the club's two goals in the game. In a 1–1 draw against Toulouse on January 26, 2013, Krychowiak scored his first goal for Reims. He scored three more goals in the wake of Paris Saint-Germain's, Lyon, and Lorient's winning goals. Despite missing three games in the 2012–13 season, Krychowiak went on to make 36 appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

Krychowiak was linked to a move away from Stade de Reims as a youth, but he continued to stay at the club throughout the summer. In a 2–1 loss to Stade Rennais in the first game of the 2013–14 season, he scored his first goal of the season. Krychowiak has been playing in the defensive midfield since the 2013–14 season. In a 0–0 draw against FC Nantes on August 31, 2013, he made his 100th appearance for the club, marking him as a 56th-minute replacement. In a match against Marseille on October 26, 2013, he set up the team's winning goal when the team defeated 3–2. In a 4–2 victory over Bastia, the goal was followed by his second goal of the season. He scored two more goals in the 2013–14 season. Despite being sidelined at least five times throughout the season, Krychowiak went on to make 36 appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

He continued to be linked to a departure from Stade Reims throughout the 2013-14 season. L'Union has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Krychowiak joined Sevilla for €4.5 million to play as a defensive midfielder in July 2014.

In a 2–0 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on August 12, he made his competitive debut on August 12, 2014, playing the full 90 minutes. Krychowiak made his La Liga debut for the club on August 23rd, defeating Valencia 1–1. He quickly established himself in the starting lineup after making his Sevilla debut, playing in the midfield position. Marca lauded his work, naming him the club's best signing this season. In a 2–0 victory over Feyenoord in the UEFA Europa League group stage match, Krychowiak scored his first goal for the club on September 18, 2014. He started for Sevilla in the 2015 UEFA Europa League Final in Warsaw, Poland's National Stadium in Warsaw, scoring the team's equalizing goal in the 28th minute of an eventual 3–2 victory over Dnipro, becoming the fifth Polish player to win the competition. He was the only Sevilla player to be named in the season's La Liga squad. In all competitions, Krychowiak made 48 appearances and scoring four times.

He started his Sevilla career on August 11, 2015, with a fractured rib but still played the full 120 minutes. Having started in the center-back position in the season's first game, he continued to play in the defensive midfield position. As a result, the club started talks with Krychowiak over a new deal. Unai Emery, the manager, lauded his job, saying "his sacrifice and dedication to the team always puts them at their service." Krychowiak signed a contract extension with Sevilla on November 5th, keeping him at the club until 2020. He captained the club in a number of games throughout the year right after. In a 2–0 win over Real Betis in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last 16 tournament after serving a one-match suspension, he then scored his first goal of the season. He sustained a knee injury on Monday, requiring him to miss two months. Krychowiak returned to the starting lineup against Real Madrid on March 20, 2016, defeating the club 3–2. For the third time in a row, Sevilla defeated Athletic Bilbao and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively in two leg matches in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final and semi-finals. He started playing in the UEFA Europa League Final against Liverpool and watched the entire match as the team defeated 3–1, winning the tournament for the third time in a row.

Krychowiak signed a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee on July 3, 2016.

Following a two-match suspension, he made his debut for the club on September 9, 2016, when he came as a second-half replacement in a 1–1 draw against Saint-Étienne on September 9, 2016. He started his first games for Paris Saint-Germain on September 13, 2016, when they lost 1–1 against Arsenal.

Throughout the season, Krychowiak found himself on the bench and played six matches before the first half of the season. On two separate posts, UNai Emery spoke to Krychowiak's first team status, saying: "I know him well, he can do more in the field, but Krychowiak and Adrien Rabiot are armed and will be crucial for the entire season." At this point, I believe the three you mentioned are the best for the team. Krychowiak is a veteran player. Both of them are important."

Krychowiak's first team appearances at the club were limited in the second half of the season, owing to continued competitions within the midfield position and his own injury concerns. "Today I am in a difficult situation," he said of his first team. However, a number of talented players have been through this before me. It's not what I expected, but it's a try, and it's going to take me awhile. [...] I had no intention of leaving [...]. It would be rude to leave after six months.' In the second half of the season, Krychowiak appeared three times for Paris Saint-Germain, including a historic 6–1 loss to Barcelona, effectively ending the club from the tournament. He made 19 appearances in all competitions by the end of the 2016–17 season.

Le Figaro dubbed Krychowiak 'Flop of the Season' after this. Despite this, he was linked to a departure from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window. In reaction, Krychowiak said he wanted to remain at the club.

Krychowiak had joined Premier League West Bromwich Albion on a season-long loan, according to the club on August 30. Although on loan, Krychowiak said he was deceived by Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery, saying, "I talked to him but every time I spoke with him I felt deception." [...] The coach knows me very well. We spent two years together, but before signing the agreement, he told me to go to PSG, but I didn't play."

In a 3–1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on September 9, 2017, Krychowiak made his debut for the club against Brighton & Hove Albion. In a 2–2 draw three weeks later, he set up West Bromwich Albion's first goal of the season on September 30th. Since joining the club, Krychowiak became the first team regular for the team, playing in the midfield position. He was thrown on the replacement bench by November, with Jake Livermore and Sam Field preferred ahead of him. This led to rumors regarding Krychowiak's future at the club, but new boss Alan Pardew wanted to keep him. He found himself alternating between the substitute bench and the starting eleven position as the season went by. After being suspended in the 59th minute during a 4–1 loss to Leicester City on March 10, Krychowiak found himself embroiled in a scandal when he refused to shake Pardew's hand. Krychowiak was mocked by Pardew for his conduct during the game and was fined as a result. He was then recalled to the replacement bench until Pardew's dismissal. Krychowiak's team was relegated to the Championship following his promotion of Darren Moore. Krychowiak made 31 appearances in all competitions between 2017 and 2018. He returned to Paris Saint-Germain after this.

Lokomotiv Moscow, a Russian Premier League club, announced the signing of Krychowiak on a season-long loan agreement with a promise to buy for €10 million on July 24th.

In a 0–0 draw against Spartak Moscow on August 4, 2018, he made his team debut. In a 1–0 victory over Krylia Sovetov Samara two weeks later on August 19, 2018, Krychowiak scored his first goal for Lokomotiv Moscow. In the ensuing three games, he was sent off for his second bookable offence against Dynamo Moscow, which was followed by his scoring three goals. For his appearances, Krychowiak was named Player of the Month for August and then for November. He captained Lokomotiv Moscow for the first time in his career against Yenisey Krasnoyarsk in the Russian Cup's round of 16 last year, but the club won 4–1 to advance to the next round. Since joining Lokomotiv Moscow, Krychowiak has been in the first team, in various midfield positions, and also rotated in the center-back position. In a 4–0 victory over Rubin Kazan on May 10, Krychowiak scored his second goal of the season on his second goal of the season. He then started in a center-back position in the Russian Cup Final against Ural Yekaterinburg and helped the team defeat 1–0 to win the tournament. Following this, Krychowiak said the season was fruitful, with Lokomotiv Moscow finishing second in the league and winning the Russian Cup. In both leagues, he made 39 appearances and scored twice during the 2018–19 season.

Krychowiak has committed to the club on a permanent basis, according to Lokomotiv. The move was later revealed to have cost €10 million.

He played in his first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Russian Super Cup on July 6, 2019, when he set up Lokomotiv Moscow's second goal of the game in a 3–2 victory. In the first three months of the season, Krychowiak's appearance earned him the honor of the Club's Player of the Month award. Krychowiak returned to the first team in a 3–0 loss against Spartak Moscow on October 27, 2019, after missing two games due to suspension and injury. Two weeks later, in a match against FC Krasnodar on November 10, 2019, Krychowiak sustained an injury that saw him suspended at halftime. It was announced that he had suffered a concussion during the match but that he had recovered quickly. In a 3–2 victory over Tambov, he scored twice in a follow-up match. As a result, Krychowiak was named Player of the Month for November by Lokomotiv Moscow. Following this, he remained in the first team until the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. In a 3–1 victory over Rostov in the league's last game before suspension, he scored his 10th goal of the season. Following this, Krychowiak was named Player of the Month for March. After the season ended behind closed doors and made six more appearances, assisting Lokomotiv Moscow in qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season, he remained an integral part of the team.

Krychowiak got off to a good start in the Russian Super Cup against Zenit Saint Petersburg, losing 2–1. He started the next five matches before suffering a muscle injury that required him to miss one match. In a 1–0 victory over FC Ufa on October 17, the return from injury followed his second goal of the season.

Both Lokomotiv and FC Krasnodar announced on August 2021 that the clubs agreed on the transfer terms for Krychowiak's move to Krasnodar, and that the transfer will be made official after he passes the medical examination and signs a personal deal with Krasnodar. Krasnodar announced on August 2nd that he had agreed to a three-year deal with the club. FIFA announced on March 7th 2022 that international players in Russia will be allowed to unilaterally suspend their contracts with their clubs until June 2022 and transfer to a club outside of Russia until June 2022, and the transfer window for the new club has been opened for such players. FC Krasnodar announced on March 15, 2022, that Krychowiak informed the club that he had decided to use the new rules and suspend his contract until June 2022.

Krychowiak signed with AEK Athens until the end of the 2021–22 season on March 15, 2022.

On a season-long loan, Krychowiak joined Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia on July 8, 2022.

International career

At the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Krychowiak captained Poland under 20s and scored a free kick against Brazil, the match's sole goal. He was the youngest outfield player to be named in the Polish U20 squad. He made the U20 national team progress before being eliminated by Argentina U20 in the tournament's round of 16. Krychowiak went on to make seven appearances and scoring once for the U20 team.

For the first time in May 2009, Krychowiak was called up to the Poland U21 team. In a 2–1 loss against Sweden U21 on June 5, 2009, he made his U21 debut, playing the entire game in the center-back position.

For the first time, two years ago, Krychowiak was called up to the U21 squad for the first time. In a 3–0 win over Albania U21 on September 2nd, he made his first appearances in a 3–0 victory. In a 2–0 loss against Russia U21, the U21 team was captaining the U21 team. In a 4–3 victory over Albania U21, he scored his first Poland U21 goal. In a 4–2 victory over Moldova U21 on June 1, 2012, Krychowiak scored twice for the U21 team. He made 11 appearances and scored three times for Poland U21, which was his first appearance and third time.

For the first time in December 2008, Krychowiak was called up to the senior squad for the first time. On December 14, 2008, he made his first appearance in a friendly against Serbia. Since the game was not on a FIFA official date, the squads were mainly made up of players from the domestic leagues, as well as a few reserve players; however, it was not considered a formal match.

Called up to the Poland team in August 2009, Krychowiak was called back to the national team just over two years later in February 2011, making his first appearance in almost three years and a last-minute substitute in a 1–0 victory over Norway on February 6, 2011.

After a year in abayance, Krychowiak was called up to the national team in August 2012. On September 11, 2012, he made an appearance against Moldova, coming as a replacement in a 2–0 victory. Poland's first appearance for the Polish nation came against South Africa on October 12, 2012, when the team defeated South Africa 1–0. When Poland failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he appeared in a number of games.

In an attempt to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2016 in France, Krychowiak continued to play for the national team, playing the defensive midfield position. In a 4–0 victory in Georgia on November 14, he scored his first international goal in a 4–0 UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying victory. In Poland's last qualifying match against Ireland, he scored his second goal in a 2–1 win, which also qualified Poland for Euro 2016. The national team for the UEFA Euro 2016 preliminary squad called Krychowiak in May 2016 and later dropped him, thereby leaving him out of the squad's 23 man squad for the tournament. Following Poland's first-ever victory at a European Championship, he was named man of the match in Poland's opening match against Northern Ireland. Krychowiak advanced to the knockout stage after playing in the next two matches against Germany and Ukraine, winning a total of four points to help Poland prepare for the knockout stage. In a 5–4 penalty shootout victory over Switzerland in the round of 16, he played the entire game and scored his final penalty. Krychowiak lived every minute of the national team's historic Euro 2016 campaign, which culminated in a penalty shootout losing to Portugal 3–5. He was named Team of the Tournament by the EFE after this.

After the conclusion of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, Krychowiak captained Poland for the first time, scoring 45 minutes before being substituted in a 1–1 draw against Slovenia. He later aided the national team in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In May 2018, he was selected in Poland's preliminary 35-man squad for the FIFA World Cup in Russia and later decided not to be included in the 23 man squad. Krychowiak scored M'Baye Niang's goal to give Senegal a 2–0 lead in the 2018 World Cup match against Senegal. He scored a goal himself, but Poland lost 2–1 and was later barred from the tournament.

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Krychowiak played three out of the four matches in the UEFA Nations League, as Poland finished third in Group 3. He then started the whole UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches to help Poland qualify for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.

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