Vladimir Ponomarev Opines on Fedor Chalov’s European Future
Former CSKA and USSR national team defender Vladimir Ponomarev recently shared his view on the career path of CSKA forward Fedor Chalov. According to Ponomarev, Chalov should consider staying outside Europe at this stage rather than trying his luck on the continent. The veteran spoke with Euro-Football.Ru to outline his reasoning, citing both Chalov’s past experiences and the style of play he believes would suit him best.
Ponomarev noted that Chalov has already tasted a stint in Europe, specifically in Switzerland, and his impression from that period was mixed. The guidance given by the veteran is clear: a move to Europe at this moment could present challenges that differ from those faced in Russia. In Ponomarev’s view, the way players are evaluated abroad often differs from the approach found in domestic football, where Chalov has established himself with a strong track record.
Chalov is a product of CSKA’s youth system, joining the club in 2006. A decade later he made his senior debut for the main squad and quickly emerged as a standout talent, becoming the top scorer in the Russian Premier League (RPL) during the 2018/19 season with 15 goals. His performances in Moscow cemented his reputation as a reliable striker capable of delivering goals in high-pressure situations.
In the most recent RPL season, Chalov appeared in all 18 league matches, contributing eight goals and three assists. His productivity positioned him as the team’s leading scorer and a central figure in CSKA’s attacking lineup. The consistency he demonstrated across matches underscored his importance to the squad and his value as a source of goals from open play and set pieces alike.
During the 2021/22 season’s second half, Chalov spent time on loan at Swiss club Basel. In 16 appearances, he registered four goals and two assists, gaining exposure to Swiss football’s tactical demands and different stylistic approaches. That experience added another dimension to his development, offering lessons that could be leveraged should he return to Europe in the future.
A separate note related to Chalov’s career path involves one former coach of Shanghai Shenhua, Slutsky, who has spoken publicly about his own time away from football and the factors that influenced those years. The broader context of Chalov’s choices reflects the ongoing discussion among players, coaches, and pundits about when and where a move to a bigger European league makes sense, and what risk tolerance and playing time mean for long-term development.
In summary, Chalov’s career has shown a steady rise through CSKA’s ranks, marked by a strong domestic track record and selective exposure to European leagues. Ponomarev’s assessment emphasizes patience and a pragmatic view of career progression, suggesting that a move abroad should align with clear personal goals, playing opportunities, and a readiness to adapt to different football cultures. For now, Chalov remains a key figure for CSKA, with the potential for future decisions shaped by his performances at home and the evolving landscape of European football. The discussion continues to unfold among fans and analysts who weigh the benefits of staying in the domestic league versus seeking new challenges on the wider stage, with Chalov’s development as the central thread in this ongoing conversation (citation: Euro-Football.Ru).