3/1 To Win
Krystian Bielik made his debut for Derby County on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup victory over Scunthorpe United and he is hoping he has done enough to be in the starting squad for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Stoke City.
The 21-year-old, signed on a five-year deal from Arsenal earlier this month, but was behind on fitness following his summer with Poland Under-21s at the U21 European Championships.
Bielik was handed his first start for the club in the first round victory over the Iron and impressed on debut. He was composed and did his job confidently and he is hoping that performance will earn him a place in the starting 11 this weekend.
“It was a good game,” Bielik told RamsTV, reacting to Tuesday night’s game. “The first 25 to 30 minutes, we weren’t as good as we would expect to be.
“The last 15 minutes in the first-half, we played our football and in the second-half we played much better.
“They couldn’t really create a chance and we were pushing on them. At the end I think we deserved to move on to the next round and I am really happy that I could make my debut. I am looking forward to more games.
“I do my best every day and I hope the manager and the staff see that. I can’t wait to play because I am really hungry.
“I played 90 minutes against Scunthorpe and now I feel fresh, a bit heavy legs, but I think by Saturday I will be in good form.
“I am doing my best everyday in training and when I get the opportunity on the pitch, I do my best in the games. It is his decision and I am waiting, but I know if I get my chance I will do my best.”
On Tuesday night, Bielik played in central defence, a position he is familiar with. Last season, however, he played the majority of fixtures for Charlton Athletic in the centre of midfield.
“I can play both positions; centre-back, central midfield,” he explained. “When I play centre-back, I need to think not to go forward too much, I need to cover our defensive block.
“When I play as a centre midfielder, I can do a little bit more of what excites me in the game which is dribble and pass forward all the time. I am always looking for that.
“I think my best position is centre-back, when I see everything all the time. Sometimes when you play as a midfielder you should see everything as well when you open your position. I can play both.
“I think the manager will try to prepare me for both positions so I will be ready.”
The Derby County supporters were impressed from what they saw from their new signing on Tuesday night.
“Most of the fans probably don’t know me because I played in League One last season, but it was a good season,” he commented.
“I am really glad to have joined here and the fans welcomed me so nicely, same as the boys in the dressing room.
“There is nothing more than to do my best in training and to show my quality on the pitch. I do this for fans as well so I will be happy if I can get more minutes on Saturday.”
