Former coach of Zenit St. Petersburg, Vlastimil Petrželа, has warned that Artem Dzyuba will face a tough path at Lokomotiv Moscow. The veteran coach, speaking to Sport Express, emphasized that the modern game demands quick adaptation and a willingness to embrace younger talent from Russia. He suggested that Dzyuba, while a seasoned striker, will need to adjust to the pace and tactical expectations of contemporary football, where speed and versatility are highly prized.
According to Petrželа, the club is looking to give opportunities to emerging Russian players, mirroring a broader trend in Russian football to cultivate domestic depth. The coaches and management at Lokomotiv reportedly expect Dzyuba to contribute, but they also recognize that triumphs in today’s league require more than simply relying on a single marquee name. The striker’s contract with Lokomotiv runs through the current season, and insiders have speculated that his monthly earnings could be in the region of several million rubles, underscoring the high expectations attached to his arrival.
Dzyuba’s recent career path included a stint in Turkey with Adana Demirspor at the start of the 2022/23 campaign. There, his involvement was limited, as he appeared in a handful of matches and did not manage to secure a regular starting role. The move to Lokomotiv signaled a shift back to the Russian Premier League, where the 34-year-old forward is expected to bring experience and leadership to a squad navigating a competitive domestic season.
In the same season, forward Smolnikov returned to the capital region to feature for Torpedo in Moscow. During that period, the defender made 16 appearances for Avtozavodtsy, contributing a goal and an assist. The experience gained in the capital’s football environment is often cited as valuable for players returning to the Russian league, where tactical discipline and physical resilience are critical assets for both positions and transitions on the field.
Veteran coach Vladimir Granat, formerly a Dynamo Moscow player, offered commentary on Dzyuba’s move to Lokomotiv. Granat framed the transfer as a notable test of adaptability for a player who has spent his career at the upper levels of Russian football. He highlighted the importance of psychological readiness, consistent training, and the willingness to fit into a team system that prioritizes collective performance over individual prestige. The discussion around Dzyuba’s career trajectory reflects broader conversations about how experienced strikers can remain effective in a league that continues to evolve with younger cohorts and new tactical approaches, particularly as clubs in Moscow and across Russia re-evaluate their transfer strategies for sustainable success.