Yuri Nagornykh, chairman of Lokomotiv Moscow, addressed the rumors about Artem Dzyuba’s future with the club. He stated that the reports suggesting the striker’s contract could be terminated due to his conduct in the media are not accurate. According to Nagornykh, quoted by Match TV, the information circulating two days earlier is false. He noted that the team had a friendly at the Bakovka base the day before, with Dzyuba taking the field in the first half and even scoring a goal.
Nagornykh described the atmosphere at Bakovka as warm and supportive. He observed the dedication of Lokomotiv’s loyal fans who visited the training site, the seasoned fans and knowledgeable adults who follow football closely, and how they spoke kindly of the club and showed genuine concern for Dzyuba. Their positive display, he admitted, speaks volumes about the club’s connection with its supporters.
Speculation about Dzyuba’s status with Lokomotiv surfaced again on June 29, when Telegram channels claimed that the team’s leadership would soon decide on a potential contract termination due to his media behavior. The rumor added to a period of intense public interest around the player and the club’s management.
In another note from the spring, former CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky, who also works with Lokomotiv, hosted a football-themed program on YouTube titled Well, it’s impossible. Viewers criticized the show for the frequent use of profanity by the presenters, highlighting concerns about broadcast language and conduct during online programs related to the club.
During the 2022/23 season, Dzyuba appeared in 13 matches across all competitions for Lokomotiv, scoring eight goals and contributing five assists. The team finished the Russian Premier League campaign in eighth place, a placement that reflected a season of ups and downs for a squad with high expectations.
There has also been talk about Slutsky’s past public remarks and his handling of media attention surrounding Dzyuba. He once lampooned a controversial video involving the striker, a moment that drew further scrutiny and discussion among fans and analysts about the club’s media image and its relationship with star players.