Derby County midfielder Krystian Bielik currently ranks as the Championship’s second-best player with Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia topping Whoscored’s ranking list.
Bielik spent the best part of 2020 injured after suffering knee ligament damage.
The Poland international originally joined Derby in 2019 from Arsenal for a fee rising to £10 million. Amid his injury, there were concerns whether he would return a lesser player.
But Bielik’s comeback has helped spark Derby into life after a miserable start.
The former Arsenal man has made 11 Championship appearances, with Derby recording 16 points in that time while keeping an impressive six clean sheets in their last nine games.
Bielik, meanwhile, has posted 44 aerial winners, 22 tackles and 22 interceptions since his return. Moreover, he has scored two goals including the winner against Bournemouth last time out.
The 23-year-old has three MOTM awards in his 11 games, and Whoscored’s rating of 7.58 is second only to the excellent Norwich attacker Emiliano Buendia.
Buendia’s ability is evidently above Championship level. The £25 million-rated star has seven goals and six assists for the Canaries, prompting interest from Arsenal (Eurosport).
Bielik is showing his massive potential and Derby have a real player on their hands.
The Rams are still in danger of relegation as they sit just one place above the drop zone. Keeping Bielik fit could be key to survival, as Derby’s record this term without him is dismal.
Also see: £2.3m Derby and Swansea target reportedly available for loan after rejecting MLS move
Also see: Derby and Celtic could miss out as £10m target reportedly set for move abroad