Former CSKA Moscow midfielder Alan Dzagoev says he is ready to extend his long association with the army club, signaling a potential return for a tenth season in red and blue colors. His statement comes as CSKA looks to reshape leadership on the pitch and off it, aiming to blend veteran experience with fresh drive from a new generation of players.
Dzagoev has long been regarded as a core figure for CSKA. In discussions about the club evolving under new leadership, he places his faith in the rising talisman Vanya Oblyakov, highlighting the young playmaker as the kind of talent who can bridge the gap between era-defining moments and tomorrow’s competitive demands. Dzagoev notes that Oblyakov treats every training session and match with the same intensity, a testament to his consistent work rate and technical reliability. He even jokes about placing his number ten shirt on Oblyakov as a symbolic transfer of responsibility, underscoring the mentor relationship forming within the squad. As he put it, the mission for CSKA is clear: empower the leadership from within while preserving the team’s competitive edge, and Oblyakov stands at the heart of that transition, ready to take on more responsibility on the field. This sentiment is echoed in discussions around the squad’s evolving identity, with fans and analysts watching closely how the midfield engine will drive CSKA’s style under the stewardship of the upcoming season, as reported by Championship.com.
Dzagoev, now 31, has a storied CSKA career that reflects a timeline of loyalty and goal-scoring proficiency. He has appeared in 397 matches for the club, finding the back of the net 77 times and contributing 93 assists. His achievements with CSKA include three Russian Premier League titles, as well as multiple Russian Cup and Russian Super Cup honors. Those numbers symbolize not only his personal longevity but also the persistence and consistency CSKA values when rebuilding a squad around a core of experienced players who have been through the club’s highs and lows. The veteran playmaker’s perspective on leadership also signals a broader plan for the club’s future—a plan in which established players mentor younger talents, helping to calibrate squad dynamics during a period of transition and renewal. The conversations around Dzagoev’s future are part of a wider narrative about how CSKA intends to stay competitive in a league that continually evolves in depth and pace, with the goal of securing sustained success across domestic competitions and European fixtures.
Separately, recent reports have linked Vladimir Fedotov, the head coach of Sochi, with a future role at CSKA. If confirmed, Fedotov would replace Alexei Berezutsky, who previously served as head coach and helped guide the team through different phases of development. Such a coaching transition would add another layer to the club’s strategy, complementing the emphasis on nurturing emerging talent while leveraging the experience of established figures like Dzagoev. The potential appointment signals CSKA’s intent to align leadership on the touchline with the evolving on-field identity, as the club seeks a balance between tactical discipline, creative expression, and the mental fortitude that has defined its recent campaigns. This shift also reflects broader trends in top European clubs, where management changes often accompany cycles of player turnover and strategic realignment, all aimed at preserving competitiveness and club culture as the sport continues to expand and intensify globally.