CATCHING UP WITH ROB TANKIEWICZ
I caught up with Cardiff City and Cymru U19 midfielder Rob Tankiewicz as we discuss breaking Aaron Ramsey's record, his relationship with BBM, and the current state of play regarding his senior international future.
Talk us through your footballing journey so far.
So, I started my journey at a small local club in Warsaw, Poland called Varsovia Warszawa. I started my journey there at the age of 4 all the way up to the age of 9, making it 5 years at Varsovia. I then made a change and have been offered a 12-week trial at Cardiff City. I got signed after 6, and ever since, my journey has continued here at Cardiff. I’ve been at Cardiff City for around nine years now, so the club has been a massive part of my life. I came through the academy from a young age, playing with different age groups and learning from so many coaches and players along the way. I’ve always had the dream of playing for the first team, so to now be around the senior group and getting opportunities and exposure at this level is something I’m really proud of. There have obviously been ups and downs along the way but I think every experience has helped me develop both as a player and as a person whilst teaching me different lessons.
Do you have a personal highlight from your years in the academy?
Personally, there are quite a few moments that stand out to me, but I would probably say winning the Academy Player of the Year award last season is one of the biggest and most important. To receive that recognition from the academy and to be voted by the senior players/coaches for the reward after so many years at the club and a very good season meant a lot. I’d also like to mention when I got given an opportunity and the trust from Brian making my first-team debut in October against Newport County is right up there because that was something I’d dreamed about since I was a kid. Seeing that become a reality was a special moment and one that will stick with me for life.
Who was your favourite Cardiff player growing up and why?
Aaron Ramsey. Obviously, he was a massive player for Cardiff and Wales, and growing up, watching him come through the club and go on to have such an amazing career was something I looked up to. He showed that you can come through the Cardiff City Academy and reach the very highest level, so he was definitely someone I looked at for inspiration.
You broke into the first team under Brian Barry-Murphy; what is your relationship like with Brian?
I’ve got a really good and strong relationship with Brian. He’s been brilliant with me and has given me a lot of confidence. He’s obviously demanding because he wants you to improve, but he’s also very approachable and always willing to speak to you. For a young player like myself coming into the first team environment, having a manager who trusts you and gives you an opportunity is massive, so I’m really grateful to him and to be working with Brian every single day. He is a perfect example of a coach and person who you’d like to learn from as a young player like myself, and it’s an absolute privilege to be working with him on a daily basis.
Describe that feeling of beating Aaron Ramsey’s record as the youngest player to play for the club.
It’s something I’m extremely proud of, but at the same time it’s not something I want to dwell on too much. Rambo is someone I looked up to growing up, so for my name to be spoken about before the Newport game about breaking a record that he previously held for several years is obviously a special achievement. But records are there to be broken and football moves very quickly. For me, it’s more important to focus on what’s to comes next in my career whilst learning from the best in order to keep on improving and chase them opportunities here at Cardiff.
Just as you were breaking into the first team, you broke your collarbone; how much of a setback was that?
It was really frustrating because I felt like I was starting to get some momentum, and that’s when I first started training regularly with the first team, and then suddenly I was forced to stop and be out for just under 4 months in a critical time for me due to my collarbone injury. Injuries are obviously part of football, but when you’re young and trying to establish yourself, you just want to be out there playing. I tried to use the time positively and focus on things I could control. The biggest thing was making sure I came back properly rather than rushing it, and I definitely reacted in that way mentally and physically by working hard in the gym on my rehab whilst strengthening my upper body, staying patient despite being frustrated due to missing just under 4 months of the season in my football and lastly by becoming hungrier for when I come back to finish the season strong, and that's what I managed to execute. I learned plenty of lessons from the injury, and although I missed a fair amount of football, I definitely learned something from the injury.
Describe that feeling of signing your first professional contract with your boyhood club.
It’s difficult to put into words, really. Cardiff has been such a huge part of my life ever since moving here from Poland at 9 with my Mum and my 2 younger brothers. With that said, signing a professional contract here was a dream come true. I had my family and which made it even more special. You obviously celebrate the moment, but then you realise it’s just the beginning and there’s so much more you want to achieve.
You made a real mark in pre-season; how did you find pre-season with the first team this summer?
It was a brilliant experience. The intensity is obviously different when you’re training every day with senior players, and you learn a lot just by being around them. I felt like I grew in confidence throughout pre-season and started to understand what the manager and staff expected from me. I definitely feel settled down and confident with all the players, and safe to say we all have a strong connection with each other, which only helps young players like myself. Looking back at pre-season, getting minutes and being able to contribute was really important, but I was also trying to learn as much as possible every day and safe to say, I felt as if I did so.
You’ve been a part of every matchday squad this season; how have you enjoyed that? And do you have any personal goals for the season?
I’ve really enjoyed it. Being involved with the first team every week is something I dreamed about when I was in the academy so I don’t take it for granted. Obviously, I want to aim to try and keep getting those opportunities in order to succeed and gain some minutes/game time by contributing whenever I’m given the opportunity, but my main goal is to keep improving and become a more complete player from everyone in the building who I’m working with and from those who are there to help me improve, and that’s what I’m really determined to do. I don’t want to put a ceiling on myself; I just want to keep working hard, keep my humbleness see where that takes me this season and moving forward.
You’re eligible for both Wales and Poland at international level; has it been decided which country you will be representing yet?
At the moment I’ve been representing Wales due to never getting a call-up for Poland. It’s not an excuse to me implying as if Wales is a backup option due to Poland never come in, but it’s something I’m really proud doing which is representing Wales at a young age. Both countries mean a lot to me for different and several reasons, but I haven’t thought of who I would like to represent due to Poland never coming in, leaving me to a decision that is yet to be made in the future. At the moment, I would say my focus is with Cardiff due to being a part of the first team. It is an important time whilst Brian is here with his coaching staff for me to try and properly break through. They’re a TOP coaching staff, and it’s a pleasure to be working with them and learning from not only them but also from the players. Learning from the best every single day for me personally is very rewarding, and as a young player like myself, it’s really important as this is the time you want to kick on and continue to develop. Senior International football is obviously something I’d love to be involved in, and whenever that opportunity comes from either Poland or Wales, I will then think about it carefully and make the decision that feels right for me and my family when the time is right.
Who is one young player in the academy you feel is one to watch?
There are a lot of good young players coming through, so it’s difficult to pick just one. But I’d say keep an eye on Noah Anyadike. He’s got a lot of ability and a really good attitude, which is probably the most important thing at his age. It was great to see Noah get an opportunity at such a young age. It shows the support, dedication and trust we get from Brian as young players, and he is a person I truly believe will make me a better player. Personally, I love working with him. Going back to Noah, hopefully the fans and everyone around can get to see what more he can do in the future moving forward, but at the same time, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him either. He’s 15, still in school, still so young. If he remains humble whilst keeping his head down, working hard every single day, and enjoying his football, he will become a very special player.
Big thanks to Rob for answering the questions!
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