Oleg Romantsev, once at the helm of Spartak Moscow and the Russian national team, earned the title of the best foreign player in the Russian Premier League (RPL) for 2023. He shared his views with Sports Express, offering his perspective on the season and the impact of key performers.
Romantsev stated that Quincy Promes stands out as the top foreign talent in the league. He added a wish that Promes stays healthy and maintains his current level because the team clearly relies on his contribution. Romantsev emphasized the importance of Promes to Spartak, noting that the squad benefits greatly from his skill and experience on the field.
Promes has been with Spartak since February 2021, having previously played for the club during a previous spell from 2014 to 2018. The Dutch forward was part of the Spartak side that clinched the Russian championship in the 2016/17 campaign, a milestone that underscores his long-standing connection with the team and the league.
This RPL season, Promes delivered 17 appearances, scoring six goals and providing six assists, a tally that reflects his dual threat as a scorer and an creator. His performances helped the team in several tight fixtures and reinforced Spartak’s attacking options as the squad navigated a competitive campaign.
Under the leadership of Guillermo Abascal, Spartak Moscow sat in fifth place in the standings during the first half of the season, accumulating 30 points over 18 matches. The club stood eight points ahead of league leaders Krasnodar and the reigning champions Zenit St. Petersburg, while trailing the top position by six points behind St. Petersburg. The early table position reflected a season of intense competition in the league, with several clubs closing the gap as the campaign progressed.
Earlier in the year, Promes had been described as a player around whom football revolved, a nod to his influence on playmaking and the pace of the game. His ability to influence matches, create chances, and finish opportunities has been widely acknowledged by coaches, teammates, and pundits alike, contributing to his reputation as a marquee foreign presence in the league. The recognition underscores the broader narrative of Foreign players shaping the RPL across multiple seasons, where adaptability and consistency are highly valued by teams pursuing domestic success and continental ambitions.