Football manager Dmitry Selyuk weighed in on Artem Dzyuba’s recent behavior, suggesting the Lokomotiv striker should have shown more respect to his teammates. The remarks were reported by RIA News.
According to Selyuk, he believes he was perhaps the only one consistently backing Dzyuba and maintaining that Zenit made a mistake by letting him go. Yet he now feels the club’s decision is understandable, emphasizing the importance of treating colleagues with respect in every situation. He noted that Semak has earned widespread regard for his leadership and character, highlighting that the coach has delivered significant results and trophies. Selyuk described Semak as a person of high social regard and strong human qualities. In contrast, he criticized Dzyuba for a reply he viewed as diminishing his standing, saying that the response lowered him further than a prior controversial display on camera.
Following the Zenit-Lokomotiv clash, Artem Dzyuba addressed the public about the dispute with Sergei Semak, downplaying the significance of the altercation by asking, “Who is this?” when questioned about the matter. This exchange underscored ongoing tensions between the two figures and added fuel to a debate about leadership, accountability, and professional behavior in top-flight football.
Dzyuba’s career has spanned seven seasons in Saint Petersburg, where he wore Zenit’s jersey and helped lead the team to multiple domestic successes, including several Russian championships and national cup triumphs. In mid-2022, he moved to Adana Demirspor in Turkey, before signing with Lokomotiv in the following season. Under a 1+1 contract arrangement, Dzyuba and Lokomotiv agreed to extend the partnership. In the most recent campaign, he shared the role of top scorer for the squad with Izidor and Miranchuk, contributing heavily to the team’s attacking threat and overall campaign performance.
There has been ongoing talk about the transition period and how it affected Dzyuba’s standing within the league. In prior seasons, his impact and visibility had made him a frequent topic of discussion in the media and among fans, with some outlets recognizing him as one of the league’s most prominent figures. The current discourse highlights not just on-field performance, but also off-field conduct and the influence of veteran players in shaping squad culture and morale. The debate continues to center on leadership, accountability, and the responsibilities that come with being a public figure in Russian football, as well as the expectations placed on players who move between major clubs.
Observers note that the dynamics between a club’s management, coaching staff, and senior players can either bolster or undermine team cohesion. The Zenit-Semak-Dzyuba narrative serves as a case study in how communication, respect, and professional standards play into long-term success. As the season progresses, many will be watching how Lokomotiv leverages its roster and how Dzyuba navigates the evolving expectations that come with new surroundings and renewed contracts. The broader league context remains attentive to how such personal retorts and public statements might influence locker room harmony and matchday performance. This situation underscores the delicate balance teams strive to maintain when dealing with star players, leadership figures, and the pressures of high-stakes competition. (Source: RIA News)