Maciej Kuziemka is a 19-year-old midfielder currently under contract with the resurging Polish giant Wisła Kraków. Recently called up to Poland’s U21 national team for the first time, he has yet to make his debut but remains firmly on the radar of the national setup. Having progressed through Wisła’s youth academy, Kuziemka is now enjoying his first full professional season and has made an immediate impact. With two goals and five assists in his opening eight appearances, he has quickly established himself as one of the most influential young players in the I Liga.
Standing at 1.76 metres, Kuziemka is not among the tallest midfielders, but his strong frame and intelligent use of his body allow him to compete effectively against physically imposing defenders. He protects possession well, using his shoulders to shield the ball and remaining composed under pressure. He also competes intelligently in aerial duels, often timing his jumps or positioning himself to mitigate the disadvantage of his height. He prefers to play on the right side of midfield, where he operates most effectively, rarely drifting too deep but consistently making the pitch wide to initiate attacks with well-timed passes or individual actions. His stamina is well above average for his age, enabling him to sustain high-intensity performances throughout matches, with maximum efficiency usually maintained for around seventy-five minutes.
Kuziemka is technically versatile and particularly effective in the half-spaces, where he shows strong awareness of positioning and timing. He frequently identifies gaps between the lines and exploits them to receive the ball on the turn, allowing him to progress play quickly and link effectively with attackers. His ability to operate in these advanced pockets of space adds a valuable dimension to his attacking game.
In the attacking phase, Kuziemka is highly productive. Comfortable with both feet, he can score from a variety of positions and angles while also creating opportunities for teammates. He often drifts inside from wide areas, using his quick feet and dribbling skills to destabilize defenders. His decision-making in the final third is generally strong, with low-driven crosses and incisive through balls being particular strengths. He has already demonstrated vision and composure in the attacking phase, delivering five assists this season. His shooting technique is explosive, generating significant power with minimal backlift, though he would benefit from taking more responsibility in front of goal rather than consistently prioritising the assist.
Defensively, Kuziemka contributes with a high work rate and commitment, frequently tracking back and applying himself in transition. His stamina allows him to recover effectively, but he can at times reduce intensity in defensive duels, particularly in matches where Wisła dominate possession. Further development in this aspect will be important if he moves to a club where he is required to defend for longer periods.
Overall, Kuziemka is a dynamic and intelligent midfielder with strong technical qualities, physical resilience, and a mature understanding of space. His productivity in attacking phases, combined with his awareness in the half-spaces, makes him one of the standout young talents in the Polish I Liga. Continued improvement in defensive consistency and a greater balance between creativity and finishing will be key steps in his development. Looking ahead, his profile would fit well in offensively oriented teams in the Austrian Bundesliga or the Belgian Pro League, with clubs such as Red Bull Salzburg, Rapid Wien, or KRC Genk providing environments where his qualities could be maximized and further refined.
Target Scouting 