Charlotte FC has signed their first defender in 21-year old, Polish prospect Jan Sobociński. Sobociński comes from 2nd division Polish side LKS Lodz, his hometown team. Despite only being twenty-one, he’s made 75 appearances for the club in both the first and second divisions of Poland. He’s an aggressive left-footed centreback with strong tackling and technical ability. Being left-footed, it is only natural that he plays the left centreback position but is capable of playing on the right as well as a fullback if really needed.
Sobociński is considered to be one of the most talented young stoppers in Poland but is still very raw. He had an impressive campaign to help get LKS Lodz get promoted to the first division of Poland, Ekstraklasa, but struggled to adapt to the superior league. It was a difficult year for not only Sobociński but for the team as a whole as they got relegated down to the 2nd division. Thus far, things have turned around for both Sobociński and Lodz with them in contention for promotion once again sitting in 2nd place.
What about Sobociński makes him considered by many in Poland as the future of Poland’s defense? And how will he be able to transition to MLS?
Aggression
When you watch Sobociński for the first time, the first thing that stands out is his aggression. His approach on defense is reminiscent of the classic, no non-sense defenders of the early 2000s. While he only stands 6’1, which is relatively on the smaller side of centrebacks, he imposes himself on opponents as if he were much bigger. He doesn’t like to give opponents space or time. This is why he is suited to the stopper role.
The stopper in soccer is the centreback whose job is to stop the advancement of the ball as quickly as possible. They do this by fiercely contesting every ball in their area, stepping into passing lanes, and use aggression to disrupt the offense. This role requires confidence, bravery, anticipation, and strong tackling and heading ability. All traits that Sobociński possesses.
Sobociński is a fearless, strong tackler who is also great aerially. He loves to get stuck in and aggressively challenges for every ball. He isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to make the necessary tackle. He tackles hard and with authority not only winning the ball but also making an immediate statement to opposing players. Sobociński isn’t the type of defender who jockeys until his opponent passes back or makes mistake. He is hungry to make a crunching tackle anytime an opposing player has the ball.
As of writing this, Sobociński has won a solid 62.9% of his defensive duels this season. This is a further indication of his good one versus one defensive capability. In the air, thus far this season Sobociński has won 65.4% of his aerial duels. Sobociński isn’t the tallest but possesses fine athleticism. He has an impressive top speed for a centreback, able to quickly move laterally, and win those aerial duels. This athletism aids his aggressiveness and gives him an advantage in 1 v 1 scenarios.
His style of play is a nightmare for attackers because anytime they play against him they are in for a physical battle. Sobociński doesn’t want to give a single inch away for free. Sobociński’s style of play isn’t only physically fatiguing for opposing players but also affects them psychologically. If opposing players knows every time they touch the ball they are going to be physically challenged hard it will affect their mental. They will be less likely to hold on to the ball for long and instead opt for a quick pass backward or sideways instead of turning towards the goal and attacking.
However, like most young defenders, Sobociński isn’t flawless. His over aggression can sometimes lead him to be prone to mistakes and yellow cards. In his season playing in the Polish first division, he was criticized for making too many mistakes and rightfully so. His mistakes normally don’t come from a place of not being physically capable but rather more on the mental side of the game.
As in most young players, soccer IQ, such as reading the game and positioning is their weakest part. This trend continues with Sobociński and his occasional rash decision-making. Whether it is reading the game too late or anticipating too early, Sobociński needs to improve this aspect of his game to get the best out of his exceptional physical capabilities. This area can be improved with coaching and just flat out more experience.
Sobociński’s athleticism and physicality will help him significantly in adjusting to Major League Soccer’s high level of physicality. However, he must improve the mental aspects of his game in order to successfully defend the superior MLS attackers week in and week out. The clever and skillful attackers of MLS such as Lodeiro, Reynoso, Zelarayán, etc. make quick work of overly aggressive defenders who don’t read the game well. Playing against these attackers on a weekly basis will help Sobociński to improve every defensive aspect of his game.
Technical Ability
It’s rare enough to find a left-footed centreback nowadays, but to find a left-footed centreback that is athletic and gritty with a strong technical ability is a combination of unicorn level scarcity. This combination is very valuable in modern football systems because of the emphasis on high pressing and building up from the back.
Left-footed centrebacks are high in demand because of the prominence of playing out of the back. Teams now more than ever like to build up their attack starting from the goalkeeper and defenders are an important piece to start the attack. Defenders nowadays need to be strong technically and comfortable on the ball. Left-footed centerbacks help even more in the build-up because when playing on the left side it is much safer to pass with the left foot than the right.
Sobociński has what many Polish fans have deemed a “magical left foot” and for good reason. His left foot creates beautiful passes in every different form. From long switches, to over-the-top through balls, and line-breaking passes, Sobociński’s left foot can do it all. This season he’s had an exemplary overall pass completion percentage of 85.3%, attempting an average of 64.47 passes per 90 minutes.
Sobociński started out as a defensive midfielder in the youth levels of Poland. In fact, when playing in the youth levels he was known to consistently score goals from long distances because of the power his left foot possessed. As he’s gotten older he’s also increased his accuracy to go along with that power elevating his passing ability to another level. It is perhaps his time as a defensive midfielder that helped him develop his technical ability.
Below are some examples that showcase his diverse passing ability:
Over-The-Top Through Ball
Long Switch
Line-Breaking Pass
Passing Under Pressure
Sobociński’s technical abilities don’t stop at his passing. To accompany his strong passing ability he also has good vision. When on the ball, he is constantly scanning for runs in behind and openings to exploit the defense. He is comfortable enough on the ball to progress it forward as well as possesses a good first touch. He’s well-rounded in every technical aspect.
Similar to his defense, if Sobociński improves his decision-making when it comes to passing, it will take his distribution to an even higher level. This season so far he has completed 50.8% of his long passes with an average of 10.38 long passes attempted per 90. Completing half of his long passes is not bad at all, but the ones he didn’t were mostly due to it not being a good choice rather than not him not capable of producing the accuracy required. Again, this is something that he can improve with more experience and time.
Sobociński is going to help Charlotte FC in possession by progressing the ball forward and unlocking defenses through his ball carrying and precise passing.
Conclusion
Charlotte FC’s Sporting Director, Zoran Krneta, has consistently said that Charlotte will look to play an attacking, possession-based style and Sobociński fits the profile of the ideal centreback for this system. His athleticism and 1v1 capabilities allow him to play a high defensive line. He possesses the technical ability and composure to play out of the back. He also has that fearlessness that you can’t teach but is essential for being an elite stopper.
Major League Soccer is a great opportunity for Sobociński’s next step in his young career. He will be heading to a league that has the superior attacking quality and increased physicality that will push him to the next level. It will give him a chance to refine his skills and ability to prepare for a move to a better European league if that’s what he wants. He will also be going to a club that will be playing a system that caters to his playstyle and strengths.
Charlotte FC has possibly found themselves a diamond in the rough. While he’s rough around the edges, he has all the ability to be a key player in Charlotte’s spine for the upcoming inaugural season and much longer. He also has the potential to play at a high level back in Europe in the near future if he desires and earns it. For the rest of the year, he will continue to hone his craft in Poland helping push LKS Lodz to another promotion back to the Ekstraklasa.
Like “The Punisher” from the Marvel comics, Sobociński is gritty and instills fear in his opponents but is precise in his execution, someone Charlotte FC fans should look forward to having on their side.
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