Grzegorz Krychowiak says he has been 'deceived' by PSG as Polish star opens up on swapping the riches of Paris for West Bromwich Albion

  • Grzegorz Krychowiak took seemingly odd decision to switch PSG for West Brom
  • Krychowiak and PSG fell out and he feels 'deceived' by manager Unai Emery
  • He swapped Paris for the Hawthorns, though admits he knew little about club

There are a few reasons why Grzegorz Krychowiak took what appeared an unusual decision to switch Paris Saint-Germain for West Bromwich Albion this summer.

At the heart of it is an accusation of duplicity, levelled at Unai Emery and delivered without hesitation. The PSG manager signed Krychowiak for £28million in 2016, having also taken the midfielder to Sevilla where he won two Europa League titles.

Yet things were not the same in France and a major falling-out ensued. Asked why he failed to feature much at the Parc des Princes, Krychowiak does not mince his words.

Grzegorz Krychowiak took what seemed an odd decision to switch PSG for West Brom

Grzegorz Krychowiak took what seemed an odd decision to switch PSG for West Brom

Krychowiak and PSG fell out and he feels he was 'deceived' by manager Unai Emery

Krychowiak and PSG fell out and he feels he was 'deceived' by manager Unai Emery

'I spoke with the coach but every time I felt deception,' he says. 'The coach knows me very well. We spent two years together and before I signed the contract he told me to come to PSG. And I didn't play. 


'I didn't understand why. For players the most important thing is to play and I didn't. So now I wanted to have the pleasure to play football.'

Such strong sentiment makes it implausible for Krychowiak to return to PSG, where he is contracted until 2021, as long as Emery is in charge.

However those personal differences are not the whole story of Krychowiak's loan move from a club challenging for the Champions League to one where the primary objective is Premier League survival. 

Krychowiak swapped Paris for the Hawthorns, though admits he knew little about West Brom

Krychowiak swapped Paris for the Hawthorns, though admits he knew little about West Brom

Krychowiak is cultured off the pitch, enjoying days out with his model girlfriend Celia Jaunat

Krychowiak is cultured off the pitch, enjoying days out with his model girlfriend Celia Jaunat

Though he had other options abroad, Krychowiak (pronounced Kri-ko-viak) wanted to experience English football, and though there was wider interest from the Premier League, notably from West Ham, West Brom presented the greatest guarantee of games. In a World Cup year, that was the major factor.

'I will be honest, I did not know a lot about West Brom,' says Krychowiak. 'I spoke with my agent only two days before I signed the contract. I had opportunities in other countries, but to discover the Premier League was very important for me. I made the decision for that.

'West Bromwich finished in the first 10 places, but from what I've seen in the last weeks, this team can make a lot better.'

Krychowiak lost his place in the Poland squad for September's internationals, having been made to train separately by PSG and not experiencing pre-season, but he played 180 minutes in last week's World Cup qualifiers after finally playing at West Brom.

This week he used a day off to visit Budapest, and in England he has taken in various sights

This week he used a day off to visit Budapest, and in England he has taken in various sights

Krychowiak lost his place in the Poland squad for September but returned in October

Krychowiak lost his place in the Poland squad for September but returned in October

'When I didn't go for two games with Poland I spoke to the coach, he told me that it would be better that I find a club, then I will be back,' Krychowiak says. 'It was important for me to have the opportunity to play in the World Cup.

'At PSG there were five or six players who worked together before the season. We made a good job, but we didn't play the friendly games and this is the big reason why I need a little bit more time.

'Every game makes me better. I know where I am strong. I am a defensive midfielder, but I can give something more offensive.'

Though he is yet to feature in a winning side, fans have seen glimpses of the ability that saw Krychowiak score in the 2015 Europa League final, and control the 2016 final against Liverpool.

He is also cultured off the pitch, enjoying days out with his model girlfriend Celia Jaunat, which he documents on social media. This week he used a day off to visit Budapest, and in England he has taken in Blenheim Palace, Oxford University and the Houses of Parliament.

He played 180 minutes in last week¿s World Cup qualifiers as Poland qualified for Russia 2018

He played 180 minutes in last week's World Cup qualifiers as Poland qualified for Russia 2018

Krychowiak is enjoying regular football at West Brom and is starting to show glimpses of skill

Krychowiak is enjoying regular football at West Brom and is starting to show glimpses of skill

Krychowiak explains: 'When we have a day off, why not? London is the most beautiful city in England, but Oxford or Cambridge, too. It's very nice to discover these kinds of places. I like to travel a lot.'

Krychowiak took advantage of his quiet summer to visit Mexico, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Bora Bora. He laughs when asked if he would prefer a long stay in Russia next year. 'Hopefully we play the best World Cup possible and show everyone we have the capacity to do something big,' he says.

That was the aim at PSG, but he only made 11 starts and eight substitute appearances in all, and his experience has raised the prospect of West Brom extending his stay beyond this season's loan.

They are already paying all his wages, in excess of £100,000 per week. 'I don't know, in football everything is possible so we will see,' he says. 'I don't think about what I will do next season, I think what I will do the next game.'