Valery Masalitin, formerly part of CSKA Moscow’s ranks, spoke with socialbites.ca about the club’s winter transfer campaign. He explained that the active pursuit of new players during the break was driven by a clear aim: to identify a performer with levels of talent and versatility akin to Abbosbek Faizullaev. This perspective sheds light on the club’s decision to bring in new faces and shape the squad for a competitive stretch run. Masalitin stressed that the recruitment was not random but a strategic move to deepen the talent pool and create potential future value for CSKA.
According to Masalitin, the signings of Algerian winger Sid Ahmed Aissaoui and Iranian midfielder Amirhossein Rivandi should be interpreted through this lens. They represent attempts to locate a second Faizullaev—an Asian talent who can make an immediate impact, contribute to the team’s short-term goals, and, under favorable conditions, be sold for a substantial fee to European clubs or clubs in Saudi Arabia. The notion is to cultivate players who can both help CSKA secure results in the present and appreciate in transfer value over time.
The former player also pushed back against a trend he perceives as underutilizing the club’s own youth graduates. He suggested that the academy system could offer a steady stream of valuable assets, much like Faizullaev did in his development and subsequent market value. Masalitin pointed to earlier examples from CSKA’s youth production—names like Tiknizyan and Maradishvili—as evidence that the path from academy to notable transfers exists. He questioned why more emphasis is not placed on promoting homegrown talents, implying there is untapped potential awaiting the next breakthrough player to emerge from the club’s own ranks. His remarks underscore a broader conversation about balancing immediate recruitment with sustainable internal development.
CSKA’s recent season trajectory has seen it endure 18 weeks in the Russian Premier League, placing the club eighth with 28 points. The standings highlight a noticeable gap to the league leaders, with Vladimir Fedotov’s squad ten points behind Krasnodar at the top of the table. As the league reconvenes after the winter pause, CSKA will host Orenburg in the opening round, a match viewed as a critical test of whether the summer-style recruitment and internal development plan can translate into immediate results and momentum for the second half of the campaign. The challenge for the team is to translate the potential shown by new signings and the academy graduates into consistent performances across the lineup, elevating their position in the standings and setting the stage for a productive second half of the season.
Masalitin’s remarks come amid ongoing conversations about the balance between external acquisitions and the cultivation of youth talent within CSKA. He framed the club’s strategic direction as one that seeks both immediate impact and future marketability, a combination that could stabilize the squad during a demanding schedule and yield appreciation in transfer value. He also implied that player development from within the academy should be cherished as a source of resilience and long-term success, offering a potential pipeline for notable sales that can finance further investments and sustainability for the club. The broader implication is a plan aimed at strengthening CSKA’s competitive edge while maintaining a sustainable approach to squad planning and talent management, a topic that has generated discussion among fans, analysts, and former players alike. Source: socialbites.ca