Vladimir Ponomarev, a long-time fixture of CSKA Moscow, spoke out about Fedor Chalov potentially leaving the club, suggesting that the change would not hit CSKA hard. His remarks, cited by Euro-Football.Ru, provide a blunt assessment of Chalov’s standing and future with the team.
According to Ponomarev, Chalov lacks certain attributes that lift a forward beyond a single moment of impact. He pointed to deficiencies in acceleration, ball control in tight spaces, and sustained pace over distance. “There isn’t the initial burst, there isn’t reliable dribbling under pressure, and there isn’t genuine distance speed,” Ponomarev said. “His value comes from what he already brings to the squad, yet that alone isn’t enough. If he’s unsure or complacent, there are four possible directions he could explore, but the key is that he should remain with CSKA. He can contribute here and earn the respect that follows—this is the club that supports him financially.”
The forward’s contract with CSKA is set to run through December 2024. Media reports, including updates from Timur Gurtskaya, have noted that Zenit St. Petersburg has shown interest in Chalov, signaling ongoing transfer speculation around the player.
Chalov is a product of CSKA Moscow’s youth system, having joined the club in 2006. A decade later, he broke into the first team and quickly established himself as one of the standout talents in Russian football, finishing the 2018/19 Russian Premier League season as the league’s top scorer with 15 goals.
In the current Russian Premier League campaign, Chalov has featured in all 18 league matches, accumulating eight goals and three assists, making him CSKA’s leading scorer for the season thus far. The striker’s performance remains a focal point of the club’s attacking plans, even as rumors about his future circulate among supporters and pundits alike.
Previous commentary from pundits has explored why Zenit might be drawn to Chalov, given CSKA’s standing and Chalov’s potential fit within Zenit’s tactical setup. The discussion reflects broader questions about player development, club loyalty, and market value within Russian football, as teams weigh short-term gains against long-term strategy. (Euro-Football.Ru)