Walsall loanee Krystian Bielik wants to hit the ground running
Forgotten-man Krystain Bielik believes it won’t take long for him to adapt to League One football after he finally joined up with his Walsall team-mates.
The Arsenal loanee was snapped up by the Saddlers on deadline day back in January but a succession of injuries ensured he wasn’t able to move from London to the West Midlands until last week.
Bielik began the 2017/18 campaign with a shoulder problem before then injuring his knee while training with the Gunners.
But just as he was nearing full fitness, a hamstring strain then delayed his progress.
Now back in training, the 20-year-old admits he now can’t wait to make his Saddlers debut.
And he feels he’ll quickly adapt to the level after he enjoyed a successful loan spell with Blues last year.
“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling better but the last few months have not been good for me,” Bielik said.
“During the winter transfer window I was injured. Then when I recovered from that I picked up a knee problem when I was training.
“Still now I’m not sure what happened. It was really painful. I had two injections in my knee. But now, step-by-step I am getting better.
“Now I am training with the lads now and I’m looking forward to playing for Walsall, to get my confidence back and helping the team.
“Someone told me the Championship and League One are similar physically so I’m ready for this.”
A cultured centre-back, Bielik says he isn’t the type of player who likes to punt hopeful balls forward.
“I like to play from the back,” he continued.
“I like heading, I like to fight and I like tackles – maybe I don’t look like it, but I do like a tackle.
“I don’t like kicking the ball all the time – long balls – I just play simple with my passing.
“And hopefully I can score a few goals as well.”
Despite joining up the squad late, Bielik says he has received a warm welcome from Walsall’s players.
“The players are very nice here and have welcomed me so warmly,” the Poland under-19 international said.
“I was maybe a bit stressed before I came to the dressing room but I did know that they would be really nice.
“I know George Dobson from our time at Arsenal, we had one year together and then he left (for West Ham). I’m very happy to be here. Now I just want to do my best”
Bielik revealed the delay in him joining the Saddlers was partly down to Arsenal wanting him to work with his own physio.
“My physiotherapist at Arsenal wanted to finish his job, he added.
“He wanted to send me to Walsall fit and he has done a great job.
“Now I want to show I deserve a place in this team.”
