Vyacheslav Chanov, a former goalkeeper coach for CSKA Moscow, highlighted the three goalkeepers he felt stood out the most during his time with the army club. He singled out Igor Akinfeev, Vladimir Gabulov, and Veniamin Mandrykin as the top three in his experience at CSKA.
Chanov recalled that among the many players who wore the CSKA jersey, including 17 who earned national team caps, the trio of Gabulov, Mandrykin, and Akinfeev left a lasting impression. He noted that while many players could be listed, these three stood out for him, and he emphasized the significance of their careers at CSKA and beyond. According to Chanov, Akinfeev and Gabulov were recognized for their international progression, being selected for Russia’s national team for the 2018 World Championship. He added that two of the three goalkeepers were his pupils during his tenure at the club.
Akinfeev’s long tenure with CSKA began in 2003. He has been a near-constant presence between the posts and often serves as team captain. Across his CSKA career, he accumulated 752 appearances and earned a shelf of trophies, including six Russian championships, seven Russian Cup titles, seven Russian Super Cups, and a UEFA Cup victory. Gabulov’s CSKA journey spanned 2004 to 2006 with a notable 14-match run in 2011, contributing to the club’s competitive edge during that period. Mandrykin represented CSKA from 2001 to 2010, featuring in 92 matches before health issues in 2010 prompted his retirement following a spine injury sustained in an accident.
In reflecting on the CSKA goalkeeper lineage, Chanov’s observations underscore the club’s role in developing elite shot-stoppers who reached the national team stage. The narratives of Akinfeev, Gabulov, and Mandrykin illustrate a trajectory of high-level performance, resilience, and the enduring impact of CSKA Moscow on Russian football during the era in question.
Notes on contract conditions and club policy regarding player terms have been referenced in discussions surrounding Akinfeev’s extended tenure and eventual contract negotiations with CSKA, illustrating how roster stability often intersects with regulatory and strategic considerations at the top level of Russian football.