Nineteen-year-old Czech youth international Jakub Řehák has quickly emerged as an offensive driving force for the reserve team of Slovak champions ŠK Slovan Bratislava in the MONACObet liga, netting five goals despite playing just 289 minutes across the current campaign, according to reports from Monacobetliga.sk and Sportnet.sme.sk.
Rapid Impact in the MONACObet liga
Though his playing time translates to just over three full matches, the forward has made every minute count for Slovan’s B-team. Řehák arrived at the club as a core player originally tied to Podbrezova, establishing immediate ambitions to challenge for the league’s top-scorer crown. Speaking to local media, Řehák admitted that his goal output has pleasantly surprised him.
“I want to score even more frequently,” Řehák told Monacobetliga.sk and Sportnet.sme.sk. “I will be happy if I score at least eight goals before the winter break. Then I will set another goal. I must especially continue doing what I do. When I was transferring to Slovan, my ambition was to fight for the best scorer award. So far, it is working out for me.”
Adapting to Senior Football and the Super-Sub Role
Stepping up from youth categories to senior professional football represents a massive physical leap, according to the young Czech attacker. While youth divisions feature opponents of nearly identical ages, the second tier of Slovak football exposes players to seasoned veterans and hardened physical battles. Nevertheless, Řehák has thrived whether starting or entering matches off the bench, having scored three of his five goals as a substitute.
“It doesn’t matter to me whether I am part of the starting lineup or entering as a substitute. I don’t make a big difference between them,” Řehák stated. “Maybe it’s easier to enter a match as a substitute, since the defenders already have something behind them and lack energy.”
Ambitions Under Yaya Touré
Strong performances in the reserve setup naturally fuel speculation about a potential breakthrough into Slovan’s senior squad. The Slovak powerhouse is managed by former Manchester City and Ivory Coast star Yaya Touré, a figure whose presence serves as a massive motivator for emerging talent within the club structure. For Řehák, the prospect of playing under such a decorated name adds significant weight to his daily work ethic.
“Of course. That’s exactly why B-teams function, so that young footballers have the opportunity to gather valuable playing experience and fight for a chance to move up,” Řehák noted. “It is a dream for me to play for such a big club as Slovan, and to do it under a coach with such a rich career would mean very much.”
Next Steps in the Campaign
Řehák and the Slovan reserve squad continue their MONACObet liga campaign as the 19-year-old works toward his stated milestone of reaching at least eight goals ahead of the winter break. Observers will watch closely to see if his scoring efficiency earns him a broader look from the first-team coaching staff.
Worth a look
