Karol Swiderski returns to Charlotte FC

By Sam Vanolinda

Karol Świderski (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

With the return of Karol Świderski, a team with, at times, stagnant offense will have a big boost. It will be an interesting decision for Dean Smith. Will he play him at the 10, a position he was dominant in at the end of last season, or will he play him up top?

Either way, he will surely boost an inconsistent offense in this MLS season. If you add a consistent offense led by the Polish playmaker with a robust backline the Crown could be making a deep run in the playoffs.

In this article, I will review what Świderski could add to this team as the season progresses.

Versatility 

Świderski is a very talented player. He routinely plays for Poland in international tournaments against some of the best in the world and picked up a couple of goals while on loan with Hellas Verona.

You could throw him at any position on the offensive side of the field and he would do a good job for the team, but obviously, he is most effective in the middle of an offense, either pushed up as a nine or slightly less forward in the 10 position, making plays for the team.

17 G+A in 32 games last year, and towards the end of the season, he was slotted into the 10 position in the middle of a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 and had some amazing performances, like his two-goal and one-assist showing versus Toronto.

Świderski shooting against Toronto FC (Photo courtesy of CJ Hellner/TopBin90)

The 91st percentile in goals, 95th  percentile for shots, 92nd percentile in successful passes, and 90th percentile in touches in opposition box shows how deadly he is in the MLS. 

In 2022 he was more in the nine role and had a similarly great season with 10 goals and four assists. 

Dean Smith has the luxury of a player who can excel in either of the most important positions on the field. With Agyemang looking better as of late Świderski could either sit behind him and create goals, or score them himself.

Leadership

Ashley Westwood is the leader of this team, but an experienced and composed player like Świderski will help the Crown as the season progresses. 

Świderski can control the ball and make the right pass, even in tough situations when the team is under pressure, he will be another big-name player who can provide confidence to the entire offense.

On top of that, he is a great penalty taker, someone who can step up and take the big shot after the penalty disaster at the start of the season.

After the amount of rotation that has been happening at the 10 position, having a player that will start their week-in-week-out will uplift the squad.

It will also be exciting to see how he plays alongside Liel Abada. Abada is a player who thrives with great playmaking because of his great finishing and positioning. The Israeli and Świderski could be a great duo.

Summary

Since Świderski went on loan, many hoped the team could get him back in Bank of America Stadium one day.

At the end of last year, the play revolved around him so much, and with the way Smith got the most out of Jack Grealish at Aston Villa, he could get the most out of the Polish international here in Charlotte. 

A player who can score a goal of this quality is always welcome in the squad.