Anzor Kavazashvili, a veteran of Spartak Moscow and the USSR national team, recalls that in 2022 he saw a single genuine contender for the title of Russia’s best player: the red and white striker Quincy Promes. The statement reflects Kavazashvili’s long view of the league, where one name consistently stood out to him in a season filled with competitive talent across clubs. He notes Promes’ unique blend of skill, experience, and the kind of instinct that elevates a player from good to truly exceptional, especially on the biggest stages where every touch carries weight and expectation rises quickly.
“I can only name Promes. Now I don’t want to name any Russian football player”, Kavazashvili adds, underscoring the Dutch forward’s impact within the domestic arena. Promes is often described as possessing a second youth on the field, a term that captures the way his pace, creativity, and finishing quality seem renewed whenever he steps into Spartak’s lineup. His ability to dazzle with controlled dribbling, precise passing, and a knack for finding the right moment to shoot makes him a constant threat. This kind of momentum is not just a personal achievement; it also raises the collective ceiling of the team he represents, inviting teammates and fans to dream bigger with every match.
Promes joined Spartak for a second spell in February 2021, reuniting with a club where he previously left a lasting impression from 2014 through 2018. During that earlier stint, he helped steer the team into a position of authority within Russian football, culminating in a league title in the 2016/17 season. His return has been marked by a seamless integration into Spartak’s attacking system, where his versatility allows him to operate effectively as a central striker, a supporting forward, or even in wider positions. This adaptability is part of what keeps him at the center of discussions about the league’s most influential players, especially as the club aims to translate individual brilliance into sustained success across competitions.
In the current Russian Premier League campaign, Promes has featured in 16 matches for Spartak, contributing 14 goals and 6 assists. Those numbers position him at the very top of the scoring chart, tied with Vladimir Sychev for the lead in the race to finish as the league’s top scorer. The consistency implied by such production underscores his value to the club and to the league as a whole. When he’s on the pitch, momentum shifts noticeably—defenders tighten up, midfielders seek his touch to unlock tight lines, and the crowd responds with renewed energy. It is moments like these that highlight Promes as a focal point within a championship-caliber squad and a symbol of high-level performance in Russian football today.
Agent Anton Smirnov, who representing the interests of Bayer’s Russian goalkeeper Andrey Lunev, speaks about the future prospects surrounding his client’s path in the sport. The discussion around Lunev’s career reflects the broader dynamic of Russian players navigating opportunities both domestically and abroad, with moves often hinging on contract terms, form, and the evolving needs of clubs at the highest level. Smirnov’s insights provide a glimpse into how a goalkeeper connected to a major European club might influence the choices available to players like Promes when planning the next steps in their professional journeys. The balance between staying loyal to a current club and exploring new challenges remains a recurring theme for players who have demonstrated versatility and longevity in their careers.
Lunev left Zenit last summer to join Bayer, with a contract in place through the middle of 2023. The transfer reflects a broader pattern in which Russian football talents are pursued by prominent European teams, offering exposure to different leagues and competition formats. For Lunev, this move represented not only a change of environment but also a chance to showcase his skills on a wider stage. The enduring question for clubs and players alike centers on how such transitions impact performance, team dynamics, and the long-term trajectory of a goalkeeper who has already established himself within Russia’s top tier. The ongoing dialogue around his development demonstrates how career decisions in football are shaped by ambition, opportunity, and the evolving landscape of European football.