Olga Smorodskaya, who previously headed Moscow’s Lokomotiv, criticized the club’s leadership for moving to sign Artem Dzyuba and Igor Smolnikov. She argued that bringing in players with established reputations, rather than reinforcing the squad with younger or more adaptable talent, signals a questionable strategy for rebuilding the roster.
Speaking to Sport Express, Smorodskaya questioned the club’s decision-making. She pointed to the pair as veterans who could be perceived as replacements for players who departed. Her comment underscored the concern that Lokomotiv might be prioritizing name value over a clear, long-term plan. The former executive suggested that simply filling gaps with familiar faces may not yield the cohesion or depth the team needs to compete effectively.
Recent reporting from sports journalist Ivan Karpov indicated that talks between Dzyuba and Smolnikov and Lokomotiv had progressed toward formalization. The reports stated that each player was expected to undergo a medical examination on February 8 and that agreements could be signed before the season concludes. It was noted that the proposed deals would include a gross compensation package totaling around 2.5 million rubles. While these figures were circulating in media coverage, the parties involved had not publicly confirmed the specifics, leaving some ambiguity about the exact terms and duration of any potential contracts.
Both players were described as free agents at the time. Dzyuba had terminated his contract with Adana Demirspor, a Turkish club he had joined in the summer, as the fall approached. Smolnikov had also parted ways with Torpedo at the end of December, signaling their availability on the transfer market and the possibility of a move to Lokomotiv if negotiations progressed as reported.
In another development linked to the broader sports landscape, former Sochi Olympic champion Dmitry Solovyov spoke in support of the hospitalized Russian ice dancer Roman Kostomarov. Kostomarov, who achieved Olympic success in 2006 in Turin, has been the subject of public attention amid his health challenges. Solovyov’s remarks reflected solidarity with Kostomarov during a difficult period, illustrating how figures across Russian sport often rally around peers facing personal trials while their teams navigate competitive pressures.
For Lokomotiv and its supporters, the potential signings of Dzyuba and Smolnikov raise questions about the balance between experience and youth, as well as the club’s ability to integrate new players quickly into a stable tactical framework. Analysts have noted that successful transitions typically require more than high-profile acquisitions; they demand a well-defined plan for player roles, fitness conditioning, and harmony with existing teammates. In the Canadian and American markets, clubs facing similar crossroads increasingly emphasize data-driven recruitment, development pipelines, and a clear vision for contributing to both short-term results and long-term growth. Observers in those regions point to the importance of aligning marquee signings with a tactical philosophy that remains consistent across competitions and seasons, while maintaining financial discipline and fan engagement. The ongoing discussions around Lokomotiv’s direction will likely be influenced by how management communicates its strategy to supporters, how medical evaluations translate into real decisions, and how new arrivals adapt to a squad with its own chemistry and expectations. The broader takeaway is that roster moves carry implications beyond immediate on-field impact, touching player morale, coaching trust, and the long-term health of the club’s competitive profile.