A recently acquired Spartak forward from Costa Rica, Manfred Ugalde, drew attention for his early impact with the squad. Observers noted that he has settled into the team and quickly established communication with teammates, even though language remains a hurdle as he works on his Russian language skills.
A veteran analyst suggested that the club should evaluate its squad depth. The commenter argued that keeping around two dozen players of similar value, many of whom rarely feature in matchday plans, is not an ideal use of resources. The point was made that highly paid foreign players need regular playing time to justify their salaries and maintain peak form.
Ugalde’s transfer to Spartak occurred in January 2024, with a reported fee of 13 million euros plus a potential 2 million euros in bonuses. He made his competitive debut for the team in a match against Rostov and subsequently found the back of the net in a game versus Shabab Al Ahly, signaling a promising start to his tenure in Moscow.
During the 2023 season, Spartak arranged temporary moves for two forwards, Keith Balde and Shamar Nicholson, through loans, which allowed Alexander Sobolev to continue serving as the primary striker for much of the campaign.
There has also been discussion about the involvement of other players who had previously left the club and then contributed to Spartak’s successes in the past. These insights reflect ongoing conversations about roster planning and how to balance the mix of youth, experience, and international talent within the squad.