Former CSKA Defender Highlights Baktier Zainutdinov’s Versatility and Transfer Controversies
Vladimir Ponomarev, a veteran defender who once played for CSKA and the USSR national team, shared his views in an interview with Socialbites. He spoke about Kazakh midfielder Baktier Zainutdinov, who is poised to join Istanbul Beşiktaş, emphasizing a reputation for versatility that stretches across multiple positions on the field. According to Ponomarev, Zainutdinov’s adaptability has been a defining trait, allowing him to fill varied roles when required by different tactical setups.
However, Ponomarev also offered a candid assessment of Zainutdinov’s impact during his time with CSKA. He described the Kazakh player as someone who could be slotted into almost any position, from the left wing to central midfield and even defense. The former defender noted that Zainutdinov often produced ordinary results rather than standout performances, labeling him as a player who sometimes delivered a decent contribution but rarely the decisive one that elevates a team’s game. In Ponomarev’s view, Zainutdinov did not consistently capture the attention of the club’s supporters or its supporters, which limited his profile at CSKA.
In Ponomarev’s timeline, the skill that kept Zainutdinov afloat was a strong left foot, a tool he did not always deploy to its full potential. The analyst pointed out that while the left-hand technique could be dangerous in the right moments, it was not used consistently enough to set him apart at the highest level. This assessment suggests that the Kazakh midfielder possessed genuine technical ability, but perhaps lacked the sustained influence or tactical edge necessary to secure a starring role in a top-tier club like CSKA, Spartak, or Dynamo Moscow.
Insider reporting on August 11, attributed to Ivan Karpov on a Telegram channel, indicated that a deal had been finalized between CSKA and Beşiktaş for Zainutdinov. The terms outlined a transfer valued at five million euros plus 15 percent of the player’s future resale amount, indicating a significant stake for CSKA in the ongoing value chain should Zainutdinov’s career continue to rise. The transfer amount reflects a recognition of Zainutdinov’s potential, even as pundits debate how his various positional experiences might translate into success within Beşiktaş’s tactical framework in Turkish football.
The broader discussion around Zainutdinov’s move echoes a recurring theme in modern football: players who can perform in several roles can become valuable assets as teams adjust to injuries, suspensions, or evolving tactical demands. While the transfer demonstrates Beşiktaş’s trust in Zainutdinov’s versatility, it also raises questions about how a player with a mixed record at CSKA will adapt to a new league, coaching staff, and level of competition. Critics may wonder whether Zainutdinov can convert potential into consistent, high-impact performances against Turkish counterparts and in European competition. Still, the consensus from Ponomarev and others suggests that the midfielder’s multi-positional experience could prove an asset in a league known for its physicality and pace, provided he can leverage his technical base more effectively within Beşiktaş’s system.
In looking back at Zainutdinov’s CSKA years, it becomes clear that the central narrative centers on flexibility rather than a singular defining moment. The player’s ability to shift across the field allowed coaches to rotate formations without a significant drop in performance, yet it also meant that he did not become the kind of anchor figure that commands a game. Beşiktaş now faces the challenge of integrating the Kazakh midfielder into a rapidly evolving squad environment, where subtle decisions—timing of passes, spatial awareness, and decision-making under pressure—will determine whether his versatility translates into tangible wins. The transfer story, underpinned by the reported €5 million fee and the potential for future resale revenue, signals that Zainutdinov enters a new chapter with substantial expectations, both for his development and for Beşiktaş’s strategic ambitions this season and beyond. At its core, the conversation about this move reveals a nuanced balance between a player’s breadth of roles and the depth of impact required to sustain success at the highest levels of European football. The industry will watch closely to see how the Kazakh midfielder channels his diverse experiences into a cohesive, high-performing contribution at Beşiktaş, and how supporters interpret the value of such a versatile profile in a league that prizes variety and tactical flexibility.