A notable portion of CSKA’s foreign players has drawn criticism for not delivering value to the squad. This viewpoint was echoed in comments to socialbites.ca by former red-blue player Valery Masalitin, who offered a candid assessment of the current squad composition and its implications for the team’s performance.
Masalitin questioned the logic behind the latest roster changes, asking which members would secure a place on the bench and who would actually contribute on the field. He named Kedvelen or Gayich as potential bench options and wondered whether Mendes would earn playing time. The arrival of Zhemaletdinov was cited as a complicating factor, prompting the analyst to question where this player would fit into the lineup. With Davila due for a return, Masalitin speculated about the balance of talent within the squad and the potential redundancy of foreign signings. He emphasized that if these players had been leaders or if they stood taller than their teammates and truly helped the club, their presence might be justified. Yet, he argued that many foreign signings were simply passengers who did not translate into tangible benefits for CSKA.
In Masalitin’s view, young talents within the club deserved greater opportunities to develop. He pointed to Glebov as an example of a homegrown player who should be integrated more prominently into the rotation. In his assessment, the 15 to 20 minutes allocated to Davila in matches would better serve Glebov’s growth. He also mentioned Kislyak and the return of Mukhin as players who could earn more minutes, but expressed concern about creating a crowded squad with limited roles. The proposal he offered was to reallocate opportunities away from foreign players who did not demonstrate significant impact, and to consider removing Zdelar if necessary. The underlying sentiment was clear: renew the emphasis on nurturing local talent to foster long-term development rather than relying on foreign players who offer limited recurrent value.
Looking back at the previous season, CSKA finished sixth in the Russian Premier League standings, a position that reflected a period of struggle and inconsistency. The team recorded 12 wins, 12 draws, and 6 losses, a balance that highlighted moments of promise but also areas needing improvement. The evaluation of last season’s results formed part of the broader discussion on squad strategy, balance between experience and youth, and the role of foreign players in achieving sustained success for the club.
As July began, CSKA engaged in two friendly fixtures against Serbian clubs OFK and Partizan, achieving convincing victories with an aggregate score of 7:0. These warm-up performances were interpreted as indicators of potential tactical alignment and fitness readiness, even as questions remained about how the squad would translate friendly momentum into league consistency. The outcomes of these matches were weighed alongside ongoing roster decisions, press commentary, and the evolving strategy for the upcoming season, with observers looking for signals about how the coaching staff planned to balance veteran leadership with opportunities for younger players to grow and prove themselves on the field.
In this broader context, Masalitin previously indicated that Sobolev could emerge as Spartak’s leader both on and off the field. This perspective contributed to ongoing debates about leadership, club culture, and the qualities that elevate a player beyond pure statistics. It underscored a larger conversation about how CSKA and nearby clubs evaluate value, define roles within a squad, and cultivate a competitive environment that supports domestic talent development while remaining competitive in national and regional competitions. The discussion reflects the dynamic nature of player evaluation in modern football, where clubs continually reassess the balance between experienced imports and homegrown players in pursuit of long-term success. [citation attribution: socialbites.ca]”