Spartak, Zenit, and Vladimir Bystrov share criticisms of how Zenit’s academy honors players, with Artem Dziuba singled out as a contrast to long-standing legends
Spartak Moscow, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and former Russian national team midfielder Vladimir Bystrov have voiced concerns about how the club treats its academy graduates. Their critique centers on the perceived lack of visible recognition for players who contributed significantly to the club’s success, especially when comparing current attention paid to Artem Dziuba, the club’s ex-striker who remains a recognizable name but whose path through Zenit’s system has sparked debate. Bystrov was quoted by Sport Express lamenting the absence of visible memorials for academy graduates, noting that a memorial plaque for Dziuba would be a simple, symbolic gesture that could inspire current and future players and acknowledge the efforts of those who helped build St. Petersburg football identity. He emphasized that the academy should reflect the club’s heritage with tangible recognitions for players who shaped the city’s football story.
The discussion touches on how memorials and visible tokens can influence young athletes. Bystrov pointed out that while there are statues and plaques for esteemed figures who contributed greatly to the sport in St. Petersburg, there are few such recognitions for current academy members. The aim, he suggested, is to create a sense of transfer and continuity—where aspiring players can look at the academy wall and see the names of those who paved the way. In his view, Dziuba’s name stands out in the academy, signaling a potential missed opportunity for broader acknowledgement that could motivate and educate the next generation. This sentiment was reported by Sport Express.
Dziuba departed Zenit at the end of the 2021/22 season. During his seven years with the club, he helped secure four Russian championships and left a lasting imprint on the squad’s legacy. His move was followed by a series of steps that kept him in the public eye, including a six-month contract with Lokomotiv in February and a prior stint with Adana Demirspor in Turkey. His career trajectory in the intervening period reflects a common pattern for players who leave the top tier yet remain relevant in the domestic and international football conversations. Lokomotiv Moscow benefited from his experience, recognizing him as a potent goal threat this season, even as he explored different leagues and opportunities around Europe.
The conversation around Dziuba’s academy footprint also included reflections from other notable figures in Russian football. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, another former top striker, stated that there are few players who can match Dziuba’s abilities in the striking department. Such endorsements from respected former players reinforce the ongoing debate about how clubs value their homegrown talents and how those efforts should be showcased to inspire future generations. The broader takeaway is less about a single player and more about how clubs communicate their heritage, celebrate success, and cultivate a sense of belonging within the academy system. The discourse illustrates a broader trend in which clubs reassess how they balance contemporary performance with historical recognition, ensuring that the academy remains a living archive of the region’s football identity.
Ultimately, the exchanges among Spartak, Zenit, and veteran voices underscore a common goal: to strengthen the connection between a club’s youth system and its fans, players, and communities. By spotlighting Dziuba’s academy presence and calling for visible reminders of past heroes, supporters and analysts argue for a more explicit link between the club’s legacy and its present and future generations. In this light, the academy is not only a training ground but a storytelling space—one where the names of those who built the club’s reputation are celebrated openly, reminding every young player that today’s challenge could become tomorrow’s legacy. The conversation continues to evolve as teams reassess how to honor contributions while nurturing new talent, ensuring the city’s football story remains vivid and instructive for all who walk through Zenit’s doors. (Sport Express)