Former football figure and coach of Moscow’s Spartak, Dmitry Alenichev, weighed in on the situation surrounding Zalimkhan Bakaev, the former Spartak player who now features for Zenit. He suggested that Bakaev should pursue a change in his club registration. The remark was relayed by the sports media outlet Sports24 and attributed to Alenichev as an assessment of the player’s current path within Russian football.
According to Alenichev, Zenit faces a difficult competition for the midfielder’s services given the depth of talent they already possess. He observed that while Bakaev has notable qualities, the competition for playing time inside Zenit’s squad is intense, and the player would likely benefit from seeking a new environment where his contributions could be more consistently leveraged. Alenichev’s view is that Bakaev’s current role with Zenit does not reflect his potential, and a move could be advantageous for both the player and his career trajectory, especially in a league that values midfield creativity and pace.
Throughout the current Russian Premier League season, Bakaev has tallied a single goal across 13 appearances, a statistic that underscores both his occasional impact and the limited opportunities he has received in the top tier. Transfermarkt, a widely used source for market assessments, estimates the midfielder’s market value at around €3 million, a figure that reflects his experience, age, and previous success with top clubs. This valuation situates Bakaev in a competitive bracket where interested sides could view him as a cost-effective option with room to grow, should he find the right setting and confidence to reclaim his best form.
Meanwhile, football manager Luis Fernando Garcia, who has guided players such as Malcolm and Claudinho in the past, provided a broader perspective on the players connected with Zenit. He noted that many of these athletes, including Bakaev’s Brazilian colleagues, could see their futures in St. Petersburg evolve over the coming months. Garcia’s assessment suggests that for several players, the current chapter with Zenit might be concluding by the summer, signaling a potential reshuffle in the squad and opening opportunities for fresh arrivals who can align with the club’s strategic ambitions and style of play.