Has Robert Lewandowski lost his scoring boots?

Four-match dry spell not what Lewandowski got us used to / Image via pinimg.com

It’s been little over a year since Robert Lewandowski scored unprecedented five goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga 5-1 win over Wolfsburg.

A testament to his predatory instincts the five-goal glut was another confirmation of Poland captain’s seemingly ever-lasting lethal form he has been enjoying for several years now. Few months later the 28-year-old Bayern Munich striker failed to extend the scoring exploits when eyes of the nation laid their hopes upon him to lead Poland to Euro 2016 glory however, raising plenty of questions over his dedication, commitment and motivation at the international level.

And ever since that bitter Portugal goal in Poland’s final summer performance the feeling of Robert Lewandowski’s lost touch has been lingering around.

Could last four games without a goal be a definite confirmation that Robert Lewandowski has lost his scoring boots?

European Despair

Poland’s prolific number nine has so far bagged 36 goals in 82 games for his country, 13 of which came during the Euro 2016 qualifiers which Robert Lewandowski finished as top scorer.

With the entire nation resting their hopes on a single man, Poland were out to demonstrate there was much more than Robert Lewandowski to boast with as they headed to France reinvigorated and fully motivated.

There wasn’t however as Polish turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament with their European path ending in quarter-finals as one-man-show lost the one man who could make clear difference on the pitch.

Only one goal in five appearances was not the tally Lewandowski got us all used to, making all of the explanations that his play was more than goals just sorry excuses for the entire team’s underperformance in the competition.

Despite the fact that Euro 2016 was a far cry from the embarrassing group-stage exit when Poland co-hosted the tournament four years ago, and quarter-finals being their best result since finishing third at World Cup in 1974 and 1982, finals in France appear to have been ominous for Poland captain.

Flying Form Comes to a Halt

It took Lewandowski only one game to get his mojo back with Bayern Munich.

Three goals against Carl Zeiss Jena in the DFB Pokal were just a warm-up for another hat-trick in a 6-0 Bundesliga opener against Werder Bremen and anticipating fans were delighted to see their favourite put his scoring boots on.

Poland was next, all over again, as Adam Nawalka’s men opened the new chapter in international football with a severely underwhelming 2-2 draw at Kazakhstan during which Robert Lewandowski scored a goal to continue his form. Things were going fairly well as Lewandowski scored goal apiece in next three games against Schalke, Rostov and Ingolstadt, but they now appear to have come to a halt just around the time of his five-goal glut anniversary against Wolfsburg.

It is as if someone has put a spell on the highly productive Bayern Munich striker, who failed to get his name on the score sheet in four consecutive games against Hertha, Hamburger, Atletico Madrid and Koln just before the international break.

Contract Talks to Blame for Lack of Form?

Coincidently, Robert Lewandowski’s most recent slump in form came just about the time when fresh talks about new Bayern Munich deal began to gain pace.

Last season’s Bundesliga top scorer with 30 goals signed a five-year deal when joining Bayern on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2014, but has been linked with Real Madrid as well as with Paris Saint-Germain and a host of Premier League clubs.

Ongoing talks between Lewandowski and Bundesliga champions date all the way back to last February and even though Bayern regard him as an indispensable member of the team, Lewandowski’s dip in form could be attributed to unresolved contract situation.

There is not much to help us draw definite conclusions as to why Lewandowski is reluctant to give his nod to an offer that would make him the club’s best paid player, outstripping Thomas Muller’s salary in a deal that would also keep him in Munich until 2021.

Still, there are certain comparisons to be made between Lewandowski’s Polish dip in form and current dry spell with Bayern.

Perhaps the lack of motivation, lack of edge and overall tiredness could define a moment Robert Lewandowski is currently in as he prepares to lead his national team into a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Denmark.

Nawalka’s men are looking at the 11/10 betting odds to emerge victorious and I am fairly certain that a goal or two from Robert Lewandowski would be more than enough to squash all the qualms we could possibly have over the prolific hitman’s form, motivation, dedication and commitment.

After all, why would he ever want to leave the clublike Bayern Munich or abandon his nation in a time of need?

Why would anyone?

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