CSKA Moscow’s Young Defender Mikhail Ryadno Linked with Zenit St Petersburg Move
CSKA Moscow is preparing to see its 17-year-old defender Mikhail Ryadno potentially move to Zenit St. Petersburg. In recent remarks Ryadno referenced the Brazilian player Mario Fernandez who had recently joined Zenit. He also named CSKA legends who serve as benchmarks for him, noting them as sources of inspiration. The statements were reported by socialbites.ca.
When discussing center backs, Ryadno highlighted the Berezutsky brothers Vasiliy and Aleksei as ideal examples. He added that if someone pushes the comparison too far, Georgy Shchennikov is a defender he has watched closely. He also singled out Mario Fernandez as a model for the right side of defense, indicating a respect for his abilities on that flank.
Ryadno has come through CSKA’s academy and made his first appearance for the senior team in the Russian Super Cup against Zenit, a match that finished 0-0 and went to penalties with Zenit prevailing 5-4. In the Russian Premier League, he scored his first league goal on July 22 in the season opener against Ural, and he added another in the fourth round as CSKA defeated Sochi 3-1.
Zenit announced the signing of Mario Fernandez on July 17, with the players agreeing to a 1 plus 1 contract arrangement. Fernandez, a 31-year-old former member of the Russian national team, had stepped away from competitive football prior to the move. He had previously accepted a request from CSKA at the start of 2023 to join Brazil’s Internacional on loan, but left the club in April. CSKA had explored options for a transfer during that period, but an agreement could not be reached at that time.
There has been ongoing discussion at Zenit regarding Fernandez’s form and fitness as he settles into his new role with the team. The club’s readiness to bring in a player with international experience signals a strategic shift aimed at strengthening the squad depth in defense and attack in the upcoming seasons. The broader context suggests Zenit is actively pursuing dual pathways that blend youth development from CSKA’s ranks with seasoned pros who can contribute immediately on the field.
Ryadno’s potential move is watched with interest by fans and analysts who see a young defender from a top Moscow club stepping into a broader European stage. The interplay between CSKA’s talent pipeline and Zenit’s recruitment activity is part of a larger pattern within Russian football where promising homegrown players move to larger clubs in pursuit of higher levels of competition and exposure. Market chatter and official statements will continue to shape the narrative around Ryadno’s future and Fernandez’s impact at Zenit. (Source: socialbites.ca)