Industry chatter around Arsen Zakharyan, the blue-white talent, intensifies as journalist Fabrizio Romano suggested the possibility of the Russian midfielder continuing his career at Feyenoord Rotterdam. Vitaly Dyakov, a former Dynamo Moscow player, responded by describing such a move as plausible. He spoke to Sport Express, outlining why a transfer to the Dutch club could make sense for Zakharyan, particularly given Feyenoord’s history of nurturing young talent and competing at a high level in European football.
Feyenoord is not Chelsea, a point that Dyakov underscored. If the opportunity exists, he implied, it should be explored rather than dismissed. The Dutch club has a reputation for developing players and offering a platform to showcase talent on bigger stages, which could appeal to Zakharyan as he continues to mature as a player.
Last season, Zakharyan appeared 27 times in the Russian Premier League, contributing four goals and seven assists. Those numbers reflect his growing influence in the league and his ability to impact matches in different phases of play. His form has kept him on the radar of several European clubs seeking creative midfield influence and youthful potential in attacking transitions.
Past transfer chatter highlighted Chelsea’s sustained interest in Zakharyan. In the summer of 2022, the English club reportedly offered £12.6 million for the midfielder. However, the move did not materialize amid the broader context of sanctions affecting Russian football and the complexities those restrictions imposed on player movement. The situation shifted as global football markets adapted to regulatory changes, and Chelsea subsequently recalibrated its scouting and transfer priorities in the wake of those events.
In January, news emerged about Chelsea’s continued interest in Russian talents, though journalists noted that Zakharyan was no longer the immediate priority for the club. Since Todd Boehly took ownership, Chelsea has deployed substantial resources on player acquisitions, signaling an aggressive strategy to strengthen multiple positions. Yet strategic priorities can shift quickly, especially for a club navigating a crowded midfield market and the need to balance immediate impact with long-term development.
Analyzing the potential trajectory, a comparison was drawn between Zakharyan and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the star of Napoli, by observers who see in the Russian youngster the kind of creative spark that could blossom into regular European competition. Those parallels emphasize Zakharyan’s ability to influence games with vision, dribbling, and a knack for decisive assists, while also acknowledging the differences in league style and developmental pathways between Russia and Italy or the Netherlands.