Zarema Salikhova, the spouse of former Spartak Moscow owner Leonid Fedun, weighed in on recent events at the club, indicating that the organization pushed back against comments attributed to Russian defender Pavel Maslov. The reports surfacing in Sports Express were the trigger for her remarks, which pivoted around Maslov’s position within the team and the club’s overall approach to public statements.
In Salikhova’s view, Spartak has long required a robust defense of its reputation within the football community, and Maslov’s move has been interpreted through that lens. She noted that Kolya Rasskazov’s role in the squad has shifted, with Maslov stepping into a new emphasis at the back. From a business standpoint, Maslov reportedly acted prudently, as his judgments regarding the club and coaching setup intersected with broader strategic considerations. Yet she also stressed that Maslov did not align with the path of joining a coach who is not seen as fully capable, pointing to Krylya Sovetov as a club where Maslov’s career might have either gained momentum or faced a reset depending on the relationship with the coaching staff.
Salikhova emphasized the realities facing Russian football at large, where moving to a league or championship perceived as less competitive can hinder a player’s prospects for career progression. Spartak’s own medical services, diagnostics, and rehabilitation specialists were highlighted by her as valuable assets for any player evaluating their long-term health and form within the club, suggesting that staying with Spartak could offer stability and access to top-tier clinical support.
Maslov ultimately decided, on February 22, to stay with Spartak rather than transferring to Armenian club Urartu. His current deal with the Red-Whites runs through the summer of 2024, with a club option to extend the agreement beyond that date. This development leaves Maslov at a crossroads, balancing the potential benefits of remaining in a high-profile Russian side against the lure of opportunities elsewhere, depending on how his role within Spartak evolves and how negotiations around a possible extension unfold.
As for Maslov’s on-field contributions, the 23-year-old defender has appeared four times for Spartak across all competitions this season, illustrating that he remains a piece of the squad’s broader defensive plans. Transfermarkt’s valuation places his market value at approximately 600 thousand euros, a figure that reflects his potential and the volatility of the transfer market in Russian football.
Looking ahead, Spartak’s schedule continues with a high-profile test in the Russian Premier League against Zenit in Saint Petersburg after the season restart. The next match is slated for March 2 at 19:30 Moscow time, a fixture that promises to draw attention from fans and analysts who will be watching how the defense, including Maslov, negotiates a rapidly evolving tactical landscape under the league’s current conditions.
Earlier comments from Cherchesov underscored a shared sentiment about the level of performance expected from both Zenit and Spartak, signaling that both teams confront a demanding standard that will shape decisions about lineup selection, strategic emphasis, and player development as the season progresses.