Bielik has been a big miss for Rams
WAYNE Rooney felt Krystian Bielik was playing the best football of his career before a serious knee injury in January ended his season.
The 23-year-old Derby County midfielder was carried off on a stretcher after 35 minutes of the 1-0 victory over Bristol City at Pride Park Stadium.
He had suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage for a second time in a year. It was a huge blow for the player and for the team.
“We are all absolutely gutted for him because I think he was playing the best football of his career,” Rooney said at the time.
“Coming back from his injury last time, he got back up to speed and was a fantastic player for us. He was doing really well, so it’s a big setback for him.”
Bielik has been a big miss and it was a key moment in the Rams’ season.
He was getting stronger and becoming more influential in a holding midfield role during 12 consecutive starts.
His physical stature and presence stationed in front of the back four allowed midfielders Jason Knight and Graeme Shinnie to bomb on. He was offering balance in that department and it has not been easy for the Rams to find that balance on a consistent basis since he was sidelined.
Bielik produced a commanding manof-the-match performance in the 2-0 home win against Swansea City and popped up with a goal in the 4-0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew’s and the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at home.
Rooney was full of praise for Bielik’s display against Swansea. “He showed moments of class, but also from a defensive side he was in the right positions breaking up play for us. Overall, I thought it was a top performance from him.”
The stats support the impact Bielik was having on games. No Derby player has recorded a higher average mark in our match ratings during Rooney’s 25 League games in sole charge. Bielik averaged 7.1 over his 12 appearances, the same as defender Curtis Davies, but his came in four appearances before he was ruled out by injury. Next on the list of highest average ratings are Craig Forsyth 6.7 (8 apps), Nathan Byrne 6.6 (21 apps), Matt Clarke 6.6 (24 apps) and Andre Wisdom 6.5 (24 apps).
In Bielik’s 12 starts under Rooney, Derby won six, drew three and lost three. They scored 11, conceded five and kept eight clean sheets.
In the 12 League games since, Derby have won three, drawn three and lost six. They have scored 10 and conceded 17, keeping two clean sheets.