CSKA veteran Vladimir Ponomarev voiced strong criticism of midfielder Jorge Carrascal, questioning his consistency during the club’s recent fixtures.
“I’m disappointed for him. It’s no surprise he spent time on the bench and now is brought back only to be replaced. He is an inconsistent player who can deliver a good game but then fade and struggle to contribute. Oblyakov contributes in every match. He shows quality. This is not a dependable performance from Carrascal”, Ponomarev told Sport Express.
Carrascal signed a full contract with CSKA before the season began after a loan spell, signaling the club’s long-term investment in his development. The forward-looking deal reflected the expectation that he would become a stable option in the engine room of the team.
As the 24th week of the Russian Premier League progressed, CSKA sat in fourth place with 45 points. Vladimir Fedotov’s side carried momentum into the spring leg, remaining undefeated across the period and showcasing a disciplined run of form that reinforced their status as a challenger in the league standings.
Throughout the current campaign, Carrascal has appeared in 22 league matches, contributing six goals and two assists. His campaign has not been without tension, as there were moments of misunderstanding with the head coach that briefly unsettled his role within the squad.
Meanwhile, former players and pundits have continued to weigh in on CSKA’s recruitment and performance. For example, Evgeny Lovchev recently criticized Spartak’s new signing Alexis Duarte for his performances after moving to Russia, highlighting how expectations shape early impressions for newly arrived players and the pressure they face to adapt quickly to a higher tempo and more demanding tactical systems.