Le Havre’s new midfielder Daler Kuzyaev and coach Luca Elsner share a common language beyond football
Le Havre’s head coach Luca Elsner spoke about the club’s recent acquisition and the easy rapport he expects to build with Russian midfielder Daler Kuzyaev. The manager emphasized that, while players may come from different footballing cultures, the on-field connection often transcends language.
“Have I started learning Russian? I already speak several Slavic languages that share some similarities with Russian, so I believe we will understand each other quite well. After all, Daler communicates well in English, which helps a great deal. Yet when it comes to football, there is only one language,” Elsner said, underscoring the universal vocabulary of the sport and the clear path ahead for their collaboration.
The club announced that Kuzyaev signed a contract with Le Havre on 12 July, binding him to the club through the summer of 2025. Before joining Le Havre, the midfielder spent six seasons with Zenit Saint Petersburg, contributing significantly to the team during a period of domestic success and international competition. His stint with Zenit began earlier, with his contract previously set to run through the end of the 2022/23 season before he moved on in search of fresh opportunities abroad.
Kuzyaev’s career at Zenit was marked by consistency and impact. During the most recent Russian Premier League campaign, he appeared 26 times, delivering five goals and four assists. His contributions helped Zenit secure the national championship, underscoring his value in both attack and buildup play. The move to Le Havre signals a new chapter for the player as he brings experience from one of Russia’s top clubs to a French side aiming to consolidate its position in Ligue 2 and push toward higher levels of competition.
For Le Havre, bringing in Kuzyaev is part of a broader strategy to add depth and versatility in midfield. The club hopes that his technical quality, game understanding, and proven track record at the highest levels of Russian football will translate into tangible results on the field. The coaching staff is clearly focused on building a cohesive unit where every player understands his role, and the new arrival is expected to contribute both goals and assists, while also contributing to the team’s defensive balance.
From Kuzyaev’s perspective, the move represents an opportunity to adapt to a new league that favors technical proficiency and quick transitions. The player arrives with a history of performing in pressure situations and adapting to different tactical setups, which should help Le Havre when facing a diverse range of opponents in Ligue 2 and beyond. His experience at Zenit, including participating in European competition, provides him with a perspective that can elevate the club’s competitive edge as it eyes progression in the French football pyramid.
Observers will be watching closely to see how Kuzyaev integrates with Le Havre’s playing style and how the coaching staff leverages his strengths. The club has shown a willingness to invest in players who can add a creative spark in midfield, control tempo, and contribute to both phases of play. If the adaptation proceeds smoothly, Kuzyaev could quickly become a key figure in the squad, helping to drive improvements across the team as they pursue ambitious domestic and cup prospects.
Overall, the signing reflects Le Havre’s ambition to blend seasoned European experience with young talent, creating a dynamic balance in midfield. Elsner’s optimism about communication and teamwork aligns with the club’s philosophy of turning strategic signings into cohesive unit operations on the pitch. As Kuzyaev settles into life at Le Havre, supporters and analysts alike will be keen to gauge how the Russian midfielder’s expertise translates into tangible results for the club during the remainder of the season and in the seasons to come.