Valery Masalitin, a former forward for Spartak Moscow, shared his thoughts on Ilzat Akhmetov’s move to Zenit in a recent interview. He noted that the transfer carried a clear financial upside for the 26-year-old midfielder, highlighting how the deal could secure better earnings for Akhmetov even if game time remained uncertain.
Masalitin also addressed the risk that Akhmetov might spend time on the bench. He emphasized that Akhmetov is not a guaranteed starter but can serve as a rotation option. If Krasnodar had any weak spots on the field, Akhmetov’s presence helped fill them. At times he performed well, while at other moments his form did not stand out as much. Masalitin cautioned that Akhmetov’s arrival at Zenit should not be judged solely by salary or potential, noting that comparing him to players like Cordoba or Spertsyan would be premature. He acknowledged the surprise factor in the transfer and pointed out that, in many cases, players arrive at Zenit and see their on-field opportunities shrink. He mentioned examples such as Bakaev, Sutormin, and Erokhin, who faced similar trajectories in their Zenit tenures. The veteran analyst added that Akhmetov has a fair chance to adapt to Sergei Semak’s tactical setup, but only time will reveal how well he fits into the coach’s system.
On January 9, Akhmetov moved from Krasnodar to Zenit. The midfielder’s contract runs through the end of the 2025/26 season and includes an option to extend for an additional year. This arrangement gives Zenit flexibility while offering Akhmetov a potential path to longer-term status with the club, depending on performance and fit within the squad’s style of play.
Masalitin previously commented that Arthur’s transfer to Zenit carried elements of risk, a sentiment he expressed in earlier remarks. His perspective on Akhmetov’s move reflects a broader view of how Russian clubs manage midseason player changes and how those decisions can influence both club dynamics and individual careers in the near term.