"Captain material" - Huddersfield Town, Michal Helik transfer surprise highlighted | OneFootball

The Polish international has been a top performer for the Yorkshire side since his move from Barnsley in 2022

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Huddersfield Town have adapted to life back in League One with ease so far, with the Terriers winning three of their first four league matches upon their return to the third tier.

Much of that good form has been the fact that the Yorkshire outfit were able to keep hold of some key players despite dropping out of the Championship in the previous campaign, with new boss Michael Duff having quality at his disposal at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Despite the likes of Jack Rudoni and Sorba Thomas departing the club during the off-season, the Yorkshire side have seen plenty of experienced campaigners stick with the club, with their class proving even more so with the drop-down in division.

With that in mind, we spoke to Football League World’s Huddersfield fan pundit Graeme Rayner about the performances of one of their Championship stalwarts from the previous two seasons.

Huddersfield Town rewarded with Michal Helik loyalty

With relegation confirmed last season, many would have expected Michal Helik to follow Rudoni and Thomas out the door over the past few months, with the Polish international proving to be a top Championship talent.

The defender was the club’s top scorer in the previous campaign with nine league goals, and after jumping ship when relegated with Barnsley two seasons before, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if a repeat scenario was on the cards.

But the fact the 28-year-old stayed put with the Terriers will be a massive boost for the season ahead, with Town’s backline proving to be one of the sturdiest in the division in the early standings.

After conceding just one goal in their first three league games, it took a Danny Ward red card against Rotherham United on Saturday to turn the tide in the Millers’ favour, with two late goals seeing Huddersfield fall to a first league defeat of the season.

Despite that loss, Rayner is still confident that Helik’s performances will see the club continue to keep teams at bay over the course of the campaign.

The Town fan said: “One player I’m surprised didn’t leave this summer is Michal Helik.

“I think he was probably the biggest asset that remained at the club after Jack Rudoni and Sorba Thomas left over the summer, and arguably, he is a more valuable player to us than either of those were.

“So for us to have kept him is great, I think that prior to the weekend the fact we hadn’t conceded a goal from open play in the league - we have still only conceded one in four games - shows that a defence built around him is very solid.

“The only games we have conceded in from open play have come when we have been down to ten men.”

Michal Helik tipped for Huddersfield Town captaincy

Such is Helik’s value at Town at this moment at time, Rayner sees a bright future for the Pole if he continues to pledge his allegiance to the Terriers’ cause.

With 81 games under his belt since joining the club in the summer of 2022 and over 150 at Championship level including his time with Barnsley, the defender has a wealth of experience to call upon, which will prove to be vital in the season ahead.

And after sticking with the side despite the drop in division, the Town fan can see Helik’s authority being put to good use in the years to come.

He continued: “He’s a vital asset, and to have kept him is great, I think that long-term he is captain material. I wish he was a bit more vocal, but other than that he is vital.

“So to have kept him, when I think a lot of Championship clubs would have looked at his performances over the last two seasons for us - and prior to that Barnsley - and thought he could do a job for them.

“The fact that the club probably put a price tag on him to warn people off is a really good sign.”