Zenit and the Shifting Transfer Landscape: Commentary on Player Sales and Club Traditions
Zarema Salikhova, wife of former Spartak owner Leonid Fedun, believes Zenit will begin recruiting players from other Russian clubs following the sale of midfielder Malcolm to Al-Hilal. This perspective was relayed through sports24, signaling a potential strategic pivot for Zenit in the post-transfer period.
Salikhova noted that many fans celebrated Malcolm’s departure along with two or even three other Brazilian players who left with suitcases in hand. She did not share in this widespread enthusiasm or the exultant chants heard in some quarters, insisting that the real story lies beyond momentary jubilation and public sentiment.
According to her, a new season trend is emerging that places emphasis on financial figures over traditional inter-club loyalties. Zenit, in her view, has never concealed a willingness to assess players by the depth of their wallets rather than their club histories. She described a culture where wearing a club’s kit with a bold insignia or sharing a team photo becomes a fashionable statement, a form of chic that may redefine how players are perceived in modern football culture.
Malcolm joined Zenit from Barcelona in 2019 and quickly became a central figure for the team. During his tenure in Russia, he helped drive the club to multiple domestic successes, securing four league titles, lifting the Russian Cup once, and winning the Russian Super Cup three times. His contract with Zenit extends through the summer of 2027, underscoring his long-term significance to the squad as the club navigates a shifting transfer market.
In the most recent Russian Premier League season, Malcolm appeared in 27 matches, scoring 23 goals and contributing 7 assists. This level of production underscored his importance to Zenit’s tactical setup and highlighted the high expectations placed on the club’s offensive lineup as it contends with evolving competition within the league and beyond.
There has also been lighthearted commentary from Vasily Utkin regarding Malcolm’s citizenship status, with jokes that touch on the Brazilian player’s affiliations. These remarks illustrate how public discourse around players can intertwine nationality, club identity, and media narratives in ways that influence fans and observers alike.