Roman Berezovsky, once a goalkeeper for Dynamo Moscow and now serving as the goalkeeping coach for the Armenian national team, weighed in on the issue of leadership missing from the squad. He noted that speaking honestly, the national side lacks a leader who can command the locker room in the way Mkhitaryan has done in the past. Such a figure is valuable for any team, and Armenia is no exception.
Berezovsky pointed to potential successors who could shoulder the burden when needed. He singled out Edik Spersyan and Nair Tiknizyan, players known for their responsibilities at club level and their growing influence in Krasnodar and Lokomotiv, respectively. The coach emphasized that leadership is often driven from the center and the attacking line, with wingers less frequently stepping into such roles. Yet Tiknizyan has repeatedly demonstrated leadership qualities both on his club side and for the national team.
For the Armenian squad, Spersyan is already a prominent figure in the group. Though still young, he has begun to assume more responsibility. The expectation is that Spertsyan will take on these duties and lead by example when the moment calls for it, according to the expert. The remarks were noted by Championship.com, highlighting the evolving leadership landscape within the team.
Spersyan has enjoyed a productive season, turning out 36 appearances in all competitions for Krasnodar, with 14 goals and 11 assists. Tiknizyan has played 34 matches for Krasnodar, contributing three goals and five assists. These figures underscore the potential impact these players could have in guiding Armenia through demanding matches and competitions.
The discussion also touched on the broader historical context of Armenian football. Spartak Aras Özbiliz, a former Kuban and Moscow player, is recognised as one of the most celebrated Armenian talents to compete in the Russian Premier League. His legacy is cited as part of the broader tapestry of Armenian success stories in European football, underscoring the ongoing evolution of leadership within the national team and its pipeline of talent.