Dmitry Andreev, the Orenburg sporting director who once wore the same team’s kit as a defender, recalled Artem Dzyuba as the toughest opponent he ever faced. The comments came during an interview with Legal betting, where Andreev reflected on the striker’s unique challenges on the pitch and the mental and physical tests he posed to defenders across the league.
Andreev explained that lining up against Dzyuba presented a rare kind of puzzle. In Zenit’s setup with a strong pairing between Azmoun and Dzyuba, the forward’s use of his body to shield the goal created a barrier that was almost impossible to breach. Dzyuba positioned himself with his chest toward the goal, making it exceedingly difficult for defenders to close him down without overcommitting or losing balance. This positional discipline, coupled with his physicality, made him a formidable adversary, according to Andreev, who spent years studying and preparing to face such players.
Last season marked a transition period for Dzyuba as he left Lokomotiv Moscow after a lengthy stint there. In the 2023/24 campaign, the veteran forward appeared in 26 matches across all competitions, contributing four goals and four assists. Lokomotiv finished fourth in the Russian Premier League that season, amassing 53 points, a respectable tally that reflected the team’s steady performance despite the upheavals in its lineup. Dzyuba’s move away from Lokomotiv signaled a new chapter, with his experience and leadership continuing to shape how clubs approach the forward position in Russia’s top flight.
Before joining Lokomotiv, Dzyuba’s career path included a period of free agency following the termination of his contract with Adana Demirspor in Turkey. In February 2023, he joined a Moscow club where he could leverage his extensive experience and long-standing ties in Russian football. A graduate of Spartak Moscow, Dzyuba had an intermittent spell with the team through 2015, a history that underscored his enduring connection to the Russian game and its most recognizable talents. As of today, the 2025 landscape sees Dzyuba continuing to draw interest from clubs across the country, with conversations often focusing on the value a seasoned striker brings to a lineup seeking both goals and veteran leadership.
On the national stage, Dzyuba represented Russia from 2011 to 2021, earning a decade-long place in the national team setup. His international tenure concluded when Valery Karpin took the helm as head coach, shifting the national team’s forward plans and call-ups. While a generation of fans remembers his contributions for the national team, several clubs and analysts still regard him as a player whose size, movement, and finishing ability could influence games at the highest level. In recent discussions among coaches and executives in Russian football, Dzyuba’s name continues to surface as a potential asset for teams seeking a proven, physically imposing striker who knows how to lead the line in challenging domestic competitions.
Industry insiders and clubs alike often point to Dzyuba’s experience and reputation as reasons to consider a reunion or a measured return, especially for squads aiming to add depth to their forward options. Such debates illustrate the wide interest in a player who has left a lasting impression on Russian football, with many evaluating how his style could integrate into varied tactical systems. As the market continues to evolve, observers will watch to see whether Dzyuba remains a viable option for teams looking for a striker who blends aerial prowess, hold-up play, and a knack for finding the back of the net, even as the sport in the region continues to develop and mature.