Anzor Kavazashvili, a former goalkeeper who starred for Moscow’s Spartak and the USSR national squad, is now speaking about a possible return to the capital club while reflecting on his own career path at Zenit in Saint Petersburg.
Kavazashvili says with certainty that if Bakaev wishes to come back to Spartak, the club would likely welcome him back. He adds that Zelimkhan’s departure from Spartak hasn’t left any lingering hard feelings and that there isn’t a real grudge to overcome.
In football, success isn’t measured solely by trophies. Bakaev did win the Russian championship, but his time at Zenit did not live up to expectations for him, and he hasn’t been a regular starter there. Kavazashvili notes that Bakaev was one of Spartak’s standout players in his earlier days, a contrast to his more limited role at the Saint Petersburg club.
The player is a product of the Spartak Moscow academy, and after his contract with the team expired last season, he joined Zenit as a free agent. During the 2022/23 campaign, he featured in 17 Russian Premier League matches, mostly coming on as a substitute, while registering a goal and an assist in the process.
Mikael Braga, an Italian journalist who has previously covered Russian football for outlets such as MondoSportivo and CalcioRusso, asserted in discussions about Zenit that Roberto Mancini could be a fitting option to help guide the squad. Braga’s remarks suggested that Sergei Semak, Zenit’s current mentor, may be considering broader strategic moves as the team navigates changes following Mancini’s departure and the evolving landscape of Russian football.
As the football world watches, the dynamic between Spartak and Zenit continues to influence discussions about player movement, club philosophy, and what it means to build a team that can compete at the highest levels. The question remains whether a reunion with Spartak would suit Bakaev’s career trajectory and whether the club would view his return as a natural continuation of the promise he showed during his earlier spell with the team. Analysts suggest that the decision would hinge on a blend of sentiment, form, and the club’s long-term plans in a league that is continually reshaped by transfers, coaching changes, and strategic partnerships with foreign football markets.
Fans in Moscow and across Russia have followed Bakaev’s journey with particular interest, given his status as a homegrown talent who rose to prominence within Spartak’s system. His move to Zenit, after leaving Spartak, created a narrative arc that many supporters have watched closely, wondering if a return could align with Spartak’s current ambitions and competitive approach. At the same time, Zenit’s leadership would need to weigh the potential benefits and risks of reintroducing a player who has experienced both success and limited playing time at a major club in the same country.
Overall, the broader discussion in the football community reflects evolving patterns in player development, transfer strategies, and talent management within Russia’s top leagues. The possibility of Bakaev returning to Spartak remains a topic of speculation, but the opinions of former players, seasoned journalists, and club officials underscore the complexity of such a decision. The sport continues to be shaped by how clubs assess talent, how coaches adapt to changing squads, and how players balance personal goals with the realities of professional football in a competitive environment.