Player ‘should be calm’ over WC despite Aston Villa mess – Receives assurance from NT manager

On deadline day of the summer transfer window, Southampton’s Jan Bednarek joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal.

The Poland international’s decision to join the Villans hasn’t paid off as he has made only two appearances for them this term.

He made his first start for Aston Villa in their 3-0 defeat to Fulham on Thursday. The centre-back was replaced by his international teammate, Matty Cash, after the break. After the tie, Aston Villa sacked Steven Gerrard.

Earlier that day, Poland manager Czesław Michniewicz included the 26-year-old in the provisional squad for the 2022 World Cup.

According to Transfery, the defender ‘should be calm’ about making it to the final list. This could leave ‘some surprised’ due to the lack of playing time he has had at Villa. However, Michniewicz has given Bednarek hope of representing Poland at the World Cup.

“When choosing a broad team, I had no dilemmas, because the group is very broad. If today I had to choose the 26-person squad for the World Cup, I wouldn’t have a problem with that either,” Gazeta Wyborcza quoted him as saying.

“And I can’t say that those who don’t play for the club will definitely not go. We will approach each case individually.”

The newspaper states Michniewicz was referring to Bednarek and Szymon Żurkowski’s situations at Villa Park and Fiorentina respectively.

“I suppose that Janek will play a few matches before the World Cup,” the Poland manager added.