Andrei Kanchelskis, a former standout for the Russia national team and Manchester United, offered his take on Artem Dzyuba’s role at Lokomotiv Moscow. He suggested that Dzyuba has been beneficial for the club and that discussing his departure from Lokomotiv would miss the bigger picture. The veteran’s remarks have set the tone for a broader conversation about the striker’s value to the squad, as reflected in RB Sports coverage.
Kanchelskis acknowledged that four goals in a single stretch might not seem like a standout haul for a player of Dzyuba’s experience. Yet he cautioned against drawing swift conclusions about the striker’s form. In his view, what matters is the trajectory players display after a period of rest or a short break. He noted that athletes at Dzyuba’s age typically enter crucial spring fixtures at peak physical condition, primed for the most demanding matches of the season when it matters most.
In the current Russian Premier League season, Dzyuba has appeared in 16 league matches for Lokomotiv and contributed with four goals and three assists. Those numbers, while not dazzling, underscore his role as a mature, physically resilient forward capable of influencing outcomes in tight contests. Supporters and analysts alike have discussed how his presence can create space for teammates and stretch defenses, especially during the decisive phase of the campaign.
Earlier in 2022, Dzyuba spent time with Adana Demirspor in Turkey, a stint that lasted from August through November. After that spell, the forward found himself without a club for a period before his return to Lokomotiv under a one plus one contract in the spring of 2023. The arrangement gave Lokomotiv flexibility while allowing Dzyuba to prove his fitness and form within the team’s strategic plans for the season ahead.
One notable moment in Lokomotiv’s recent league schedule came on December 8, when the team hosted Ural Yekaterinburg in a Russian Premier League fixture. Lokomotiv emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, a result that reflected both the team’s defensive solidity and its capacity to convert chances. Evgeniy Morozov opened the scoring by finding the net in the 18th minute, while Nair Tiknizyan sealed the victory late in the second half. The match illustrated Lokomotiv’s balance between disciplined defense and decisive attacking moments, with Dzyuba contributing to the overall attacking dynamics even when his name did not appear on the scoresheet in that particular game.
Looking ahead, Lokomotiv’s engagement with Dzyuba has been framed around continued collaboration rather than quick conclusions. The club has emphasized the forward’s experience as a stabilizing factor who can mentor younger attackers while providing a reliable option in front of goal. The discussions surrounding Dzyuba have not centered on a dramatic shift but rather on how he fits into Lokomotiv’s evolving game model and how his presence influences the tempo and structure of offensive plays. In this light, the question of continuity with Dzyuba becomes less about one moment and more about a longer-term contribution to the squad’s ambitions.
Across the broader landscape of Russian football, Dzyuba’s journey with Lokomotiv is seen as a narrative of veteran leadership meeting modern tactical demands. His career arc, including a stint abroad and a return to one of Russia’s prominent clubs, mirrors a trend where experienced forwards provide both scoring potential and a strategic edge in the run-in phase of the season. For Lokomotiv, the task remains to harness this value by aligning his strengths with the team’s pressing style, set-piece threat, and counterattack options. This approach aims to maximize the striker’s impact during the stretch run of the campaign while maintaining squad balance and depth.
Observers note that the decision-making around Dzyuba’s role will continue to unfold as the season progresses. Lokomotiv’s leadership has signaled a commitment to evaluating performance through a practical lens, recognizing that the forward’s experience and physical conditioning can translate into tangible benefits in critical fixtures. For fans, the conversation centers on consistency, leadership on the pitch, and the ability to convert chances when it matters most. In that sense, Dzyuba’s presence is more than a simple statistic; it is about the strategic influence a seasoned forward can impart on a team navigating a demanding schedule.