He is a member of the Russian national team and is currently on loan to Sochi from Zenit St. Petersburg. Defender Dmitry Chistyakov explained why he made the switch to Sochi, sharing his thoughts in an interview quoted by Bookmaker rating.
“I faced a choice, but the options were limited. It became clear that I needed to play regularly. When the chance to join Sochi arose, I took it without hesitation. My goal is to help both myself and the club reach the level we know we can achieve. This club does not deserve to be at the bottom, and I want to feel confident and happy again. Lately I have not been happy with football because my lack of playing time is taking a toll and I am dealing with injuries”, Chistyakov stated.
Chistyakov has been with Zenit since 2021. In the current Russian Premier League season, the defender has appeared in five games for the blue-whites and has yet to find the back of the net.
Before arriving at Zenit, Chistyakov gained experience with Rostov, Tambov, Shinnik, and Armenian side Mika, building a diverse club background on his path to the top flight.
Chistyakov earned his first cap for Russia in 2021, going on to play a total of four international matches for the national team. His inclusion marks him as a player with international ambitions and a drive to contribute at the highest level.
At the midseason mark, Krasnodar led the Russian Premier League after the winter break with 38 points. Zenit sat in second place, two points behind, while Dinamo Moscow trailed with 32 points in third. The standings reflect a tightly contested campaign as teams chase dominance in the league.
Previously, coach Semin indicated that Zenit needed changes to strengthen its challenge for the title and to push for a more competitive finish in the season. The call for adjustments underscores the ongoing quest for improvement within the squad and the league as a whole.