Daniil Odoevsky, the Zenit goalkeeper who spent part of the season with Rostov, said he was not surprised by Alexander Sobolev’s move from Spartak to Zenit. The observation, reported by RB Sports, reflected a sense that the transfer had been discussed behind the scenes and that such a step could reasonably follow when both clubs and the player agreed it was the right moment. Odoevsky stressed that conversations had taken place and that a change of scenery for Sobolev would align with the team’s evolving plans. He added that transfers like this often hinge on timing and the particular fit a player finds with a new club.
Did Sobolev’s transition surprise me? At the moment, no. There were conversations. If they are going to go, then it is possible to assume that there is a transition, probably, Odoevsky noted, echoing the sense that discussions had prepared the ground for the move. His remarks point to a pragmatic view among teammates about how transfers unfold when clubs pursue the best options for squad balance and competitive depth. The tone suggested a level of familiarity with how deals develop in the Russian market, where talks can precede clear decisions and public announcements.
Sobolev, who joined Zenit from Spartak at the end of the transfer window, made his official debut for the Russian champions in Moscow against CSKA during the eighth round of the Russian Premier League, a 1-0 result. He was selected in the starting XI and spent sixty minutes on the pitch, but did not leave a decisive imprint on the scoreboard or the flow of the game. Zenit remain the league leaders with 20 points after eight rounds, while Spartak sit fifth, five points adrift of the leaders. The match against CSKA provided Sobolev with his first exposure to the high-intensity demand of a top club, and it underlined Zenit’s continued grip on the domestic title race as the new era began for the forward in the Zenit lineup.
In the next league fixture, Zenit were scheduled to face Krasnodar, a test that would further reveal how Sobolev adapts to the team’s tactical plan and how the squad maintains its momentum in a notoriously competitive division. The upcoming match represented another opportunity for Sobolev to acclimate to Zenit’s playing style and contribute to a campaign aimed at sustaining the club’s early-season advantage and title aspirations.
Sobolev’s journey also carries a human angle. Earlier, there were reports that he had been on the periphery of the rotation, effectively warming the bench as he waited for his chance to prove himself in a new environment. That phase is a familiar part of professional football, where a player’s readiness and patience can coincide with a club’s strategic needs, ultimately shaping how quickly a new signing can impact results and help push the team toward its goals.