Köln’s Carstensen: Market Value Doubles in Poland

Jagiellonia Bialystok and Polish Football’s Rising Stars See Market values Soar

By a Senior Polish Football Analyst

May 3, 2024

The winds of change are sweeping through Polish football, and the latest market value update in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa, Poland’s top league, reflects this shift dramatically. Jagiellonia Bialystok, a team making waves both domestically and in European competition, emerges as a major winner, signaling a potential power shift in Polish soccer. Their impressive performance and strategic player acquisitions have propelled their market value to nearly €30 million,a threshold previously breached by only a select few elite clubs.

Jagiellonia’s ascent isn’t happening in a vacuum. Othre Polish powerhouses like Lech Poznan and Raków Czestochowa are also experiencing growth in their market values. Though, Legia Warsaw, a perennial contender, remains relatively stable, holding a Kaderwert-ranking of approximately €36.4 million.

What’s driving this surge in value across the league? Several factors are at play, including improved player development, successful participation in European tournaments like the Conference League, and increased scout activity from major European clubs. This influx of attention and investment is raising the profile of Polish football and its players.

Key Players Driving the Market Value Surge

Jagiellonia Bialystok’s recent Supercup victory serves as a testament to their rising prominence, fueled by standout performances from key players. Goalkeeper Slawomir Abramowicz, solidifying his position as the team’s undisputed number one, has seen his market value soar by an impressive €3 million. His shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in the box have made him a crucial asset for Jagiellonia.

Adding further firepower to Jagiellonia’s attack is Afimico Pululu, formerly of SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Pululu’s consistent goal-scoring prowess in his second year with the club has catapulted his market value by €2 million,bringing it to a noteworthy €5 million. This valuation places him among the most valuable players in the Ekstraklasa, attracting notable attention from clubs across Europe.

however, not all players experienced positive changes in their market value. Antoni Kozubal of Lech Poznan saw a decrease of €1 million, as did Vladan Kovacevic of Legia, whose value dropped to €4 million.

Pululu used the shop window of this year’s Conference League ideally to play in some notebooks. He leads the scorer list and has scored some stunning hits.

Michael sroka, area Manager Poland at transfermarkt.com

According to Michael Sroka, Area Manager poland at Transfermarkt, Pululu’s stellar performances in the Conference League have substantially boosted his profile. There were some inquiries for him in winter and he is likely to move into a significantly better league in summer. This suggests that Pululu’s time in the Ekstraklasa may be limited, with a potential transfer to a more prominent European league on the horizon. This trend mirrors what we’ve seen with other talented players leaving the MLS for opportunities in Europe, demonstrating a growing recognition of the talent pool in leagues outside the customary “big five.”

Recent Developments: Scouts from Bundesliga and premier League clubs have reportedly been in attendance at Jagiellonia’s recent matches, further fueling speculation about Pululu’s potential transfer.

Player	Club	Market Value Change
Slawomir Abramowicz	Jagiellonia Bialystok	+€3 million
Afimico Pululu	Jagiellonia Bialystok	+€2 million
Antoni Kozubal	Lech Poznan	-€1 million
Vladan Kovacevic	Legia Warsaw	-€1 million

Oskar Pietuszewski: A Teenage Sensation

Jagiellonia Bialystok isn’t just developing established players; they’re also nurturing young talent. Oskar Pietuszewski, a 16-year-old offensive prodigy, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Polish talent in his age group to reach a market value of €1 million. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record held by Karol Borys and Jakub Adkonis, both valued at €800,000.

Among teenagers, only Jan Ziolkowski (Legia, +€1.3 million) and Adrian Przyborek (Pogon Stettin, +€1 million) have experienced greater increases in market value than Pietuszewski. This places Pietuszewski in elite company, highlighting his immense potential and the growing excitement surrounding his future.

Pietuszewski convinced in his previous short assignments with his carefreeness and is incredibly far in its development at the age of 16. He has enormous potential,here and there is already talking about a century talent in Poland. So it is very exciting to observe his further development.

Michael Sroka, Area Manager Poland at transfermarkt.com

According to TM expert Sroka, Pietuszewski’s maturity and talent belie his young age. The buzz surrounding him has led some to label him a “century talent,” a testament to his exceptional abilities. The pressure will be on Pietuszewski to live up to the hype,but his early success suggests that he has the potential to become a star on the European stage.

Rasmus Carstensen’s Resurgence in Poland

Rasmus Carstensen, a right-back on loan from FC Köln to Lech Poznan, has experienced a significant turnaround in his market value. After joining Lech Poznan in the winter transfer window, Carstensen quickly established himself as a key player, contributing two goals in eight appearances. Consequently, his market value has doubled to €2 million, marking his first increase after three consecutive devaluations since December 2023.

Carstensen is next to Assad Al-Hamlawi von Slask Wroclaw The winter newcomer, which is best struck, and one of the few radiant spots in a recently weakening team of Lech Posen. It is indeed no secret that you would like to commit him, but it can be heard from the Cologne surroundings that 2 million to 2.5 million is expected for him.

Michael Sroka, Area Manager Poland at transfermarkt.com

Sroka notes that Carstensen has been a standout performer for Lech poznan. The club is reportedly interested in making his move permanent, but FC Köln is expected to demand a fee between €2 million and €2.5 million. This situation is reminiscent of the loan-to-buy arrangements common in Major League Soccer, where clubs often use loan spells to evaluate players before committing to a permanent transfer.

German Players in the Ekstraklasa

While the spotlight shines on rising Polish stars and Carstensen’s resurgence, the German contingent in the Ekstraklasa has experienced mixed fortunes. Simon Schierack, after making his professional debut for Slask Wroclaw, has been assigned an initial market value of €25,000. Conversely, Marvin Senger of Stal Mielec has seen his market value decrease to €350,000 due to his team’s recent struggles.

The Transfermarkt Market Value Methodology explained

Transfermarkt market values are estimates, not definitive transfer fees. They’re derived from a combination of pricing models and community input, reflecting an expectation of a player’s worth based on performance, potential, and market conditions.

Transfermarkt explicitly states that their market values are not predictions of actual transfer fees and do not employ algorithms in their calculations. Instead, they aim to reflect a player’s value based on individual transfer modalities and prevailing market conditions, details of which are available here.

How are market values calculated?

Jagiellonia Bialystok’s Ascent: An Interview with Football Valuation Expert, Sofia Novak

By Archyde news

May 7, 2024

Introduction

Archyde News is pleased to welcome Sofia Novak, a leading football valuation expert, to discuss the recent market value shifts within the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. Sofia, welcome to the show.

Sofia Novak: “Thank you for having me. it’s a pleasure to be here.”

Jagiellonia Bialystok’s Impressive Surge

Archyde: “Sofia, let’s start with Jagiellonia Bialystok.Their market value has skyrocketed. What factors are driving this impressive rise?”

Sofia Novak: “Jagiellonia’s success is multi-faceted. Their on-field performance, as evidenced by their recent Supercup win, is clearly a major factor. They’ve also made strategic player investments and, importantly, are competing well in European competitions. This European exposure is crucial for player valuation and attracting scouts from top European clubs.”

Key Players and Market Value Increases

Archyde: “Several players have seen significant market value increases.Slawomir Abramowicz and afimico Pululu are two standouts. Can you break down the reasons for their valuations?”

Sofia Novak: “Abramowicz’s consistent performances as a goalkeeper, as well as his shot-stopping ability and commanding presence are valuable to Jagiellonia. Pululu’s goal-scoring record, especially in the Conference League, has boosted his profile considerably. He’s become one of the Ekstraklasa’s most valuable players.”

Teenage Sensation Oskar Pietuszewski

Archyde: “Another engaging story is the emergence of 16-year-old Oskar Pietuszewski. He’s reached a remarkable market value for his age. What does this signify for his future?”

Sofia Novak: “Pietuszewski’s achievement is exceptional. He possesses immense talent, and more importantly he shows maturity beyond his years. The hype around him is huge, but the pressure will be on.Based on his maturity, though, his future on the European stage looks promising and exciting.”

Rasmus Carstensen’s Resurgence

Archyde: “Rasmus Carstensen’s story is about a player on loan. How do loan performances like Carstensen’s influence market values, and what does it mean for Lech Poznan?”

Sofia Novak: “Carstensen’s performance highlighted how crucial playing time is to increasing values. He has been a significant addition and contributes immensely to Lech Poznan. Depending on his future, FC Köln is likely to hold out for a high fee. this is similar to arrangements in many leagues, where a loan period is used for evaluation.”

The German Influence

archyde: “The Ekstraklasa includes a German contingent. How are german players, like Simon Schierack and Marvin Senger, faring in terms of market value?”

Sofia Novak: “Their experiences are quite varied. While simon Schierack is starting off, Marvin Senger’s market value has declined, impacted by the team’s recent difficulties. This is a demonstration of the volatile nature of footballing performance and market fluctuations.”

Market Value methodology

Archyde: “We’re curious, how are market values calculated? Some might think an algorithm is needed.

Sofia Novak: “Market values aren’t calculated by any algorithm. Transfermarkt, the source of the value, and experts on the subject use player performance, potential, and the conditions of the current market to make estimates. These aren’t set values. They reflect a player’s worth.”

Looking Ahead

Archyde: “Sofia, what in your opinion is the biggest takeaway from these market value changes, and what can we expect to see in Polish football over the next year?”

Sofia Novak: “The trend is clear: Polish football is becoming increasingly attractive. The league’s increased competitiveness, the exposure from European competitions, and the advancement of young talents like Pietuszewski are all positive indicators. We can expect to see more Polish players moving to major european leagues, wich in turn will further boost the Ekstraklasa’s profile. However, the question remains, will Jagiellonia retain its core players? This will be pivotal for sustained success.”