Valery Shmarov, a former Spartak Moscow player, weighed in on Alexander Sobolev, the Zenit St. Petersburg forward, and the way Sobolev left the red-white club. He offered a pointed critique of the move and did not shy away from questioning the timing and tone of Sobolev’s departure. Shmarov framed the discussion around how a player should approach loyalty to a group that has invested in him and how a public exit can reflect on both sides of a transfer. His comments were shared in a conversation that sought to understand the pressures players face when switching clubs and how those choices are perceived by teammates and supporters alike. He did not hold back in describing the emotional and strategic dynamics at play in modern Russian football.
“He is not the first, and he is not the last. But Sobolev is extremely wrong when he calls Spartak the team of losers. How can you say such a thing when you are in a group? If a person does not want to play in a team, he is not needed,” he said. The remark captures a broader debate about whether players owe a sense of collective identity to their former clubs after a move. Shmarov argued that a public dismissal of a club as a place of failure can undermine the very culture that helped develop a player in the first place, and he stressed that public criticism of teammates or the club can ripple through the dressing room and the fan base. The exchange reflected how quickly narratives form around transfers and how much weight fans and pundits place on statements made during a transition period.
Sobolev’s appearances in the league for the St. Petersburg club were limited and, in Shmarov’s view, did not translate into sustained impact. He did participate in eight league matches for the new club, yet his contribution remained below expectations in the competitive environment of the Russian Premier League. In the Russian Cup, however, Sobolev found the net on both occasions, delivering what was essentially a small but meaningful contribution to the team’s campaign in that knockout format. The contrast between league form and cup success added another layer to the discussion about how a player’s output should be evaluated across different competitions and moments in a season.
The transfer from Spartak Moscow to Zenit unfolded under a contract described in reports as fitting a 3+1 scheme, a structure that has become familiar in the modern game for players who may be seen as long-term investments with the option of an additional year. Sobolev was removed from Spartak Moscow’s starting lineup after the first-round match of the current Russian Premier League against Orenburg, a result that underscored a turning point in his relationship with the club. Sources indicated the player personally told head coach Dejan Stankovic of his desire to leave, and after that conversation, Sobolev did not appear again in Spartak’s jersey. The sequence of events highlighted how transfer decisions are often tied to a mix of personal ambition, tactical fit, and the club’s assessment of a player’s readiness to contribute at the top level.
In the broader arc of his career, Sobolev also spent time with Krylia Sovetov and Enisey, a pathway that illustrates the journeyman route many players navigate in pursuit of regular top-flight football. Those experiences paint a picture of a player who has sought opportunities across different clubs, adapting to various tactical systems and coaching styles as he sought to carve out a role that would maximize his chances of influencing important matches. Each stop added layers to his professional story, contributing to a reputation shaped by movement, timing, and the evolving demands of elite Russian football.
Previously at Zenit, it was acknowledged that Sobolev’s value would be proven on the field as he settled into the squad and displayed consistency in training and match performances. The club’s management emphasized patience and a measured approach to evaluating his development, while fans watched closely for signs that he could translate potential into decisive in-game impact. As the season progressed, observers remained attentive to how Sobolev would respond to intensified competition, adapt to a new teammate dynamic, and demonstrate the sharpness and confidence required to thrive at a club competing at the highest level in Russia.