Athletistic/Football. Today, January 5, the media wrote that the Krasnodar midfielder Ilzat Akhmetov will soon become a player of Zenit St. Petersburg.

Journalist Ivan Karpov clarified on social networks that the agreement with the player will be concluded for 3.5 years.

Previously, the media wrote that Zenit would pay Krasnodar about 100 million rubles for the transfer of Akhmetov.

“I can say that Ilzat is an extraordinary footballer, technical, offensive. In some places he played great matches. But I don’t really understand this transition. It seems that in general everything went well for him in Krasnodar. The main reason is his Russian passport – for Zenit.” We needed such a player, and perhaps for the rotation in attack, the depth of the team.

For Akhmetov, Zenit is a challenge and a serious competition. Whether he can cope with it, time will tell. He signed a three and a half year contract, which demonstrates the serious intentions of the club which is certainly counting on Ilzat. This is a serious time. Honestly, it was a surprise to me too. I wonder how he will be able to prove himself, whether he will be able to gain a foothold in the starting position,” said the former CSKA footballer. Evgueni Aldonin.

“This transfer is incomprehensible to me. Akhmetov is not a player of the main team of Krasnodar. Only the management and Sergei Semak know why this player is moving to Zenit. Such transfer decisions are not made just like that. If Zenit made an offer and bought Akhmetov, which means they need him. But even in Krasnodar, Akhmetov didn’t play much to move to a club like Zenit.

Negative attitude of CSKA supporters? Now it doesn’t matter who goes where. The athlete’s main priority is winning. We already know of many cases where people move from CSKA to Spartak or Zenit and vice versa. Akhmetov’s transfer is not surprising from this point of view,” said the former CSKA Moscow player. Alexander Grishin.

“Akhmetov to Zenit? It’s difficult to comment on these transfers – they are illogical. Maybe it’s to create competition for Claudinho or Mostovoy. I don’t know what the company that deals with transfers to Zenit thinks . Or to weaken “Krasnodar”. There is no explanation, I don’t understand why Zenit needs Akhmetov.

Given his skill set, Akhmetov can probably play in the main lineup. He is a good level player. But I’m afraid he probably won’t play. Maybe come in as a replacement to plug the holes. I think so. Perhaps this is in case the main Brazilians leave, so that there is no complete failure later. I don’t see any other explanation,” said the former Soviet footballer. Alexander Kanishchev.

“Now Akhmetov will definitely become the champion of Russia? Good joke, ha ha. This is another time to move to Zenit (laughs). I never thought about it. Indeed, he will definitely become a champion. Or maybe -maybe only two will receive medals. “This would be a unique case”, underlined the Russian specialist. Rinat Bilialetdinov.

“Akhmetov sometimes showed a good game at times and moments in Krasnodar. In my opinion, Zenit is turning into a graveyard for Russian players. They recruit those who come to life and demonstrate a good game , then they quietly bury them – this is what It happens with Bakaev, Mostov, Krugov and all the other guys. Now they decided to also include Akhmetov, not to mention the young ones – Kovalenko and the rest of the guys.

The trend is not good. People who start playing brilliantly end up at Zenit and disappear there. I try to catch myself thinking: which of the Russians prospered there – no one comes to mind. For two or three years, there has been no one. We have a new problem in our football. Perhaps these are agent games: twists and turns.

Is Akhmetov likely to win gold and silver? But I do not know. In our time, there were standards: you have to play a certain percentage of matches to be officially champion or winner of the Cup. There was definitely some sort of standard. If such a standard exists today, it is not a fact that Akhmetov will take the field as many times as necessary. There is already a crowd of Russians who, in principle, only compete for the Cup. Zenit have now recruited another Brazilian. Although it is possible to exchange the Krasnodar store for the St. Petersburg one. St. Petersburg is a more interesting city than Krasnodar, although it is cooler,” said the former president of Spartak Moscow. Andrei Chervichenko.

“For me, Akhmetov’s transfer to Zenit was a surprise. But I think it was a balanced and mutual decision. Ilzat and Krasnodar thought of everything and made, I am sure, the right decision. He is a strong player, He played successfully in Krasnodar and I think he will continue to do so with the same quality at Zenit, that’s what I wish him.

Are the Russians from Zenit slowing down their development? I understand what you’re talking about. Zenit’s foreigners are really strong. But Ilzat is an ambitious guy, I felt it while working together. I think he will prove it at Zenit. And as he proves, I saw with my own eyes.

Zénith is currently the best club in our championship. I would not consider the situation as such that Akhmetov moved from the first team to the second. The whole struggle is still ahead,” said the former head coach of Krasnodar. Alexandre Storojouk.

Akhmetov, 25, is originally from Bishkek, but plays for the Russian national team, with whom he has made nine appearances. At the club level, the midfielder began his career at the academies of Konoplev and Rubin Kazan, but gained his main fame while playing for CSKA. In the summer of 2022, Akhmetov left the club as a free agent and moved to Krasnodar.

This season, Akhmetov played 21 matches for the Bulls in all tournaments, in which he scored three goals and provided two assists.

The Internet portal Transfermarkt estimates the Russian’s market value at 3 million euros.

Andrey Andreev, Sport.Ru


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