Leeds’ Mateusz Klich scores Poland’s game-tying goal against the Republic of Ireland

Mateusz Klich has had an interesting year.

Brought to Leeds United from FC Twente in the summer of 2017, big things were expected of Klich. However, after getting injured in preseason seemed to end his Leeds career before it even began.

Klich was hard pressed to find playing time under former Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen, who inexplicably kept Klich on the bench for months, despite injuries, loss of form of the starters, especially Eunan O’Kane, and even the sale of Liam Bridcutt to Nottingham Forest.

Therefore it wasn’t a surprise, to see Klich depart on loan to FC Utrecht in January. It was widely assumed that Klich had played his last minutes for Leeds.

However, he indicated that he wanted to come back to Leeds and fight for a place in the midfield under Marcelo Bielsa, and that he did. Despite not being in the frame for regular playing time in the beginning of preseason, he managed to play himself into the first team. And after Adam Forshaw went down with injury, Klich managed to get the starting nod.

Klich has responded by scoring three goals this season, and now he’s gotten a goal for Poland against the Republic of Ireland after being recalled to the squad after a four year absence.

Klich came off the bench to score Poland’s tying goal in the 87th minute after starting for Poland against Italy and playing 56 minutes. Klich has managed to not only get himself back into the frame at Leeds, but also managed to get back into the national team.

What a year for Klich. From being benched and buried on the depth chart, behind even teenager Conor Shaughnessy, who had been converted to a central defender, to scoring a late equalizing goal for his country. It’s been a trip.