Rising up in Poland, Jakub Stolarczyk all the time had loads of goalkeepers to look as much as.
His father performed within the decrease leagues, and it was from him that Stolarczyk first discovered the enjoyment of stopping photographs. However over on these shores it was a extra mercurial determine who formed his ambition: Artur Boruc.
“I remember watching him play for Poland and practising his famous spread save in my living room,” Stolarczyk tells Sky Sports activities. “He had a implausible profession, and for me, as a child, he was an enormous idol. Whilst I obtained older and watched goalkeepers like Lukasz Fabianski and Jerzy Dudek, Boruc was all the time the one who caught with me.
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“I’ve met him a few times since, and he’s a lovely guy. He’s a character, but his performances always spoke for themselves.”
‘An enormous honour’ – turning into Leicester No 1
Stolarczyk has loved a strong begin to this marketing campaign with Leicester
His personal journey has been somewhat totally different to the previous Poland worldwide. Whereas Boruc arrived within the UK at 25, Stolarczyk has been at Leicester for the reason that age of 16. Now, at 24, he has an actual probability to determine himself as first-choice goalkeeper – following the summer time departure of Mads Hermansen.
“I was never outright told I would be the number one,” he says. “It was more about the build-up and the work I was putting in toward the first game. That was when I started feeling this could be my chance to step onto the pitch and take the opportunity with both hands, which I believe I did.”
Having come via the academy and skilled a number of mortgage spells, Stolarczyk describes carrying the No 1 shirt as a “massive honour”.
“It feels special and motivates me even more this season to face the challenge and perform every game,” he says. “My only focus is competing for that spot and helping the club get back to where it belongs.”
‘I can see the impression it had on my profession’ – studying from Schmeichel
Stolarczyk’s improvement has additionally been influenced by arguably Leicester’s best goalkeeper, as he obtained to coach for a number of years alongside Kasper Schmeichel earlier than he departed the membership in 2022.
“Kasper’s career speaks for itself, both here at Leicester and now at Celtic,” he says. “Training with him in the academy and even speaking with him on some days gave me a lot of learning.
“On the time, I in all probability did not absolutely recognize it, however now I can see the impression it had on my profession.”
He has also learned from other top goalkeepers at the club. “From Kasper to Eldin Jakupovic and Asmir Begovic, I have been fortunate to work with high professionals who set an important instance.”
‘Why I came to England’ – making his PL debut
Stolarczyk made his debut within the Premier League at Anfield final yr
Final season was undoubtedly a turbulent one for Leicester Metropolis, as they obtained relegated from the Premier League in dismal vogue.
However for Stolarczyk, there was an enormous silver lining, as he made 10 appearances within the high flight – beginning with a debut at Anfield on Boxing Day. That led to defeat, however he was in purpose for each single certainly one of Leicester’s three victories within the second half of the season.
“It was a dream come true,” he says, of his begin at Liverpool. It had been some bounce from simply a few years earlier than, when he had been on mortgage at Hartlepool in League Two and Dunfermline Athletic within the Scottish Championship.
“I never overthought it. All the loan spells and countless hours of training had prepared me for that moment. My focus was on helping the team as much as I could.
“Taking part in within the Premier League is why I got here to England. Though the membership was going via a tough interval, that second was one thing constructive for me.”
‘A way of refreshment’ – wanting ahead this season
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Simeon Gholam and David Prutton sit up for Leicester vs Birmingham on the Important EFL podcast
Wanting forward, Stolarczyk is set to keep up his performances and contribute to Leicester’s push to return to the Premier League.
“Individually, I want to keep playing and solidify my spot as No 1. More importantly, I want to help Leicester get back to the Premier League.
“Final season was powerful, and we weren’t adequate to remain there. Now there is a sense of refreshment, and everybody is concentrated on working onerous, implementing the supervisor’s concepts, performing, and giving pleasure to the followers by profitable video games.
“Hopefully, by the end of the season, we’ll be in the position we want to be in.”
