Former Zenit Selector Questions Akhmetov Move from Krasnodar
St. Dmitry Barannik, once a coach selector for Zenit Saint Petersburg, offered his take on the recent transfer of Ilzat Akhmetov to the blue-white-blue side. Barannik suggested that Akhmetov already appears to have lost the star status he once carried in the Russian championship, a shift that has sparked discussion among fans and analysts alike. The midfielder arrived from Krasnodar in what is being described as a deal that benefits both clubs, though Barannik does not see the transfer as a strategic blockbuster for Zenit.
Barannik remarked that if Krasnodar valued Akhmetov highly, the club would not have allowed his exit. He characterized the purchase as a balanced arrangement for both teams, yet he questioned the decision to recruit a player he views as not currently a superstar. He recalled Akhmetov from his CSKA days as a young, promising talent whose abilities seemed to wane with time. The former Zenit selector emphasized a dip in form since those early reports of potential, noting the player’s journey through the Russian top flight over the years and the expectations that followed him. This perspective adds a layer of skepticism to conclusions about Akhmetov’s immediate impact at Zenit, even as the move is framed as a mutual benefit by the clubs involved.
Akhmetov made his Russian Premier League debut in 2014 with Rubin Kazan, beginning a long career that saw him in different colors across the league. He spent four seasons with Rubin before moving to CSKA, where he remained for another four years. During his time with CSKA, the midfielder earned a Russian Super Cup victory in 2018, a notable milestone in his domestic career. In 2022, Akhmetov joined Krasnodar, stepping into a new chapter in his professional journey and continuing to contribute in midfield roles for the Bulls since then.
In the current season, Akhmetov has featured in 21 matches across all competitions for Krasnodar, recording three goals and two assists. Across his time with Krasnodar, he has appeared in 61 games, contributing seven goals and eight assists to the team’s campaigns. This statistical snapshot suggests a player capable of influencing matches, though the assessment of his peak form remains a matter of debate among observers who watched his development since his Rubin Kazan days. The new chapter with Zenit is seen by some as a test of whether Akhmetov can reassert himself at the highest level, while others argue that his best years may lie behind him. Attribution for these insights goes to figures familiar with the player’s career who have weighed his trajectory against the current needs of Zenit and the league overall.
Meanwhile, speculation about potential replacements continues. A former Zenit player, Igor Zazulin, has floated the idea of Arthur stepping in as a possible replacement for Malcolm, the currently discussed role that may open up as the squad reshapes its midfield options. This extends the broader conversation about how Zenit plans to balance experience with young talent as they pursue domestic titles and deep runs in European competition. Attribution for the replacement debate comes from industry commentary following the club’s roster shifts and market activity in the transfer window.