Former Lokomotiv Moscow head coach Yuri Semin voiced strong confidence that 34-year-old Russian striker Artem Dzyuba will contribute to the club for several more seasons. The assessment, reported by RB Sports, frames Dzyuba as a veteran asset whose presence extends beyond numbers on a sheet of statistics.
Asked how Dzyuba might perform in the upcoming campaign, the analyst replied that the forward will keep delivering goals and that age should not determine his capacity to compete. The expert emphasized that Dzyuba could operate at a high level for years to come, underscoring his consistency and experience as key advantages.
After the 2021/22 season, Dzyuba left Zenit St. Petersburg as a free agent and joined Adana Demirspor in Turkey. The stint included a brief spell with limited playing time, during which he appeared in a handful of matches. The last time he took the field for the club was October, and by early November the contract双方 mutually agreed to terminate the deal.
In February 2023, Dzyuba returned to Russian football with Lokomotiv Moscow. He later signed a fresh contract through the end of the 2023/24 season, with the option to extend for another year. The renewal reflected the club’s belief in his leadership and on-pitch influence as a central striker.
Lokomotiv finished the 2022/23 season in eighth place in the national championship standings, a result that prompted a focus on strengthening the attack ahead of the new campaign. The club’s coaching staff and executives identified Dzyuba as a pivotal figure who can help restore consistency in front of goal and raise the team’s overall performance levels.
As the Russian Premier League’s early fixtures approached, Lokomotiv prepared for a home clash with Rubin Kazan scheduled for late July. The match was viewed as a barometer for the club’s attacking cohesion and the effectiveness of renewed leadership from the forward line anchored by Dzyuba and his teammates.
Former head coach Valery Gazzaev had previously argued that Lokomotiv needed Dzyuba’s authority in the squad. Gazzaev stressed that a player of Dzyuba’s stature can bring strategic balance to the offense, improve finishing decisions, and elevate younger forwards by example. The broader expectation within the club is that the veteran striker will help raise standards and contribute to a more competitive campaign across all competitions.
Overall, Dzyuba’s trajectory in Moscow illustrates a longer, strategic arc rather than a quick return. By leveraging his physical presence, aerial prowess, and leadership, Lokomotiv seeks stability and goals at a time when the club aims to reassert itself among Russia’s elite. The narrative around his role is not only about scoring but about mentoring teammates, maintaining fitness, and adapting to the club’s evolving tactical plan as the league progresses.