Vladimir Ponomarev, a former CSKA standout and member of the USSR national team, has recently highlighted the pivotal role played by Brazilian forward Malcolm in Zenit Saint Petersburg’s sustained success over the past seasons. Ponomarev, speaking in a candid assessment of the club’s fortunes, referenced the sentiments circulating among bookmakers and fans alike, noting how the market’s rating reflected the influence Malcolm wielded on the pitch.
Zenit’s dominance in recent years has included five consecutive league titles, a run that many observers attribute at least in part to Malcolm’s creativity, pace, and ability to unlock defenses. With the Brazilian now pended to another challenge, questions have multiplied about who can fill the void he leaves behind. Ponomarev suggested that while there are capable players ready to step in, Malcolm’s unique skill set—his timing, vision, and habit of turning tight spaces into scoring opportunities—creates a gap that is not easily bridged by mere replacements. The veteran analyst pointed out that in the club’s most recent match against Fakel, Zenit looked markedly different, and the absence of Malcolm was felt in every attacking sequence. According to Ponomarev, the team faces a transitional period, with a need to adapt quickly to a more fluid system and to explore internal solutions while maintaining the balance that has defined Zenit’s recent performances.
On August 3, Zenit formally announced that Malcolm would move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. The transfer marked a significant shift for the squad, as the forward had been a central figure in Zenit’s tactical plans. Reports from the club indicated that Malcolm had already begun to contribute to his new team, making appearances in four matches and tallying a contribution of five goals plus one assist across those outings. The move is seen by many observers as a new chapter for both clubs, with Al-Hilal hoping to leverage Malcolm’s movement and creativity to push deeper into continental competitions while Zenit recalibrates for the post-Malcolm era.
In the current Russian Premier League campaign, Zenit has collected two wins from four fixtures, placing the club in sixth position early in the season. The league table at this stage shows Krasnodar ahead with twelve points from four matches, underscoring the competitive depth of the division and the pressure Zenit faces to secure early momentum as they adjust to life after their former star. Analysts and supporters alike are watching closely how the squad adapts to evolving tactical plans, with attention paid to how the coaching staff will distribute responsibilities across attacking roles and how they will cultivate new sources of creativity from within the squad.
Looking ahead, a key fixture looms when Spartak Moscow hosts Zenit in the fourth or fifth round of the RPL, depending on the scheduling specifics of the season. The match promises to be a test of Zenit’s adaptability and mental resilience, challenging the team to translate training-ground ideas into effective on-pitch outcomes against a rival known for its intensity and tactical discipline. The broader conversation about Zenit’s trajectory includes reflections from former players such as Ilya Kovalyuk, who noted that Zenith’s identity has evolved and may look different in the post-Malcolm era, yet remains a club capable of competing at the highest levels. Fans and pundits will be watching to see how the squad leverages new assets and how the coaching staff reshapes the attacking framework to maintain the club’s competitiveness for the season ahead.