The biggest news for Lechia Gdańsk was the contract extension of John Carver until June 30, 2028. The English coach, pivotal in keeping the team in the Ekstraklasa, took charge on November 30 when the team had just 11 points and was second-to-last. Under his leadership, Lechia earned 26 points, defeated champions Lech Poznań and Jagiellonia Białystok, and finished the season in a comfortable 14th place.

“There’s always optimism and hope before a new season. I reiterate that the most important thing is for the club and team to evolve, and for this development to translate into points and a better position in the standings. I want to see Lechia perform better than before and in a higher position than last season. Good preparation should help us achieve that, as the team is physically at a higher level than last year,” Carver said at a press conference in Gdańsk.

Despite the enthusiasm, Lechia will start the new season with a five-point deduction imposed by the Polish Football Association, along with a transfer ban, except for specific authorizations.

In this context, the club managed to bolster its squad with defenders Matus Vojtko (Slovakia) and Alvis Jaunzems (Latvia), as well as winger Mohamed Awad Alla (United Arab Emirates). Awaiting approval to join are Maksym Dyachuk (on loan from Dynamo Kyiv) and Dawid Kurminowski (from Zagłębie Lubin).

“As a coach, you always want more players. Given the number of players we lost this summer, it’s crucial to replace them with the same quantity. We need time to integrate everyone and build team cohesion. Each player adapts differently, but I’ll do everything possible to ensure they all adjust as quickly as possible. Also, Dyachuk and Kurminowski aren’t at the same physical preparation level as the rest of the team,” Carver explained.

The team lost two key players: Dominik Piła (to Cracovia) and Maksym Chłań (to Eyüpspor). As replacements, Andrei Chindris (Romania), Loup-Diwan Gueho (France), and Louis D’Arrigo (Australia) were brought in.

In the preseason, Lechia recorded four wins and one loss:

• 2-0 vs. GKS Tychy
• 4-1 vs. Olimpia Grudziądz
• 3-1 vs. Olimpia Elbląg
• 3-0 vs. Chojniczanka
• 3-5 vs. Motor Lublin

“We scored a lot of goals in the friendlies and did good work, but these opponents should’ve been a bit stronger. We’ll only see what we’re capable of after a few matches. I think we’ll be able to sign a few more players,” Carver added.

Carver stressed the need to strengthen the defense, which conceded 59 goals last season.

“During the preseason, we focused heavily on improving our defense, which is why we signed more defenders, but only Matus played most of the friendlies. The back four is expected to work as a single unit,” he noted.

“We’re heading into somewhat unknown territory, as we can only guess how Górnik will play. We don’t know what kind of team they’ll be after their numerous changes, but I think that’s what everyone will feel at the start of the season. It’ll take three or four matchdays for teams to get to know each other and figure out how each wants to play,” Carver commented.

On his opponent, he highlighted:

“Górnik has made very good signings and added even more quality to an already strong team. We also expect the atmosphere in Zabrze for the season opener, thanks in part to the 30,000 fans who attended. It will undoubtedly be a very tough match.”

Lastly, Kacper Sezonienko, who scored in the final three games of the previous season, will be unavailable due to illness.