– Daler is a free agent. Journalists get the news faster than we do. He has earned the right to choose his own path. Kuzyaev did what seemed best to him. This player left a big mark on our results. He has a desire to prove himself in a European club. Perhaps he will return,-said Semak.
Kuzyaev was rightfully considered one of the leaders of Zenit. He has been playing for the Saint Petersburg team since 2017, making a great contribution to the club winning five league titles. By the way, this is not the first time that Daler has tried to change the situation. So, in the summer of 2020, the Russian also left the “blue-white-blue” field, trying to find options in Europe. According to what they say, there was interest in Kuzyaev from Italian Atalanta, Spanish Alavés, Turkish Besiktas and Galatasaray, in addition to Lokomotiv Moscow. After waiting for a break, the player later rejected all these offers and extended his contract with Zenit.
It is possible that Kuzyaev will repeat the same path – he will not agree with any of the other clubs and will return to St. Petersburg. The closest Daler was to the transfer to Besiktas. Representatives of the Istanbul team have repeatedly announced through the press their intention to make this transition. But, according to unconfirmed reports, the Russians were not satisfied with the terms of the agreement. At the same time, Zenit seems to agree to sign a new contract with Kuzyaev at a salary of 2.5 million euros a year.
If Daler still does not return to St. Petersburg, then the St. Petersburg team may have serious problems in the middle of the field. Midfielder Wendel remains in Brazil, who has been authorized by the Blue and Whites to negotiate with other clubs. “According to Wendel, the situation is the same as a few days ago,” Semak admitted. “We are in contact with his agents. To this day, he still hasn’t found a team.”
Of course, it is not worth drawing far-reaching conclusions from one match, especially a friendly one, but at the meeting with Red Star, the absence of Kuzyaev and Wendel was noticeable. The Serbs had a lot of freedom in the middle of the field, just where the Russian and Brazilian usually play. According to Semak, before the start of the season it would be nice if Zenit strengthened with a few more newcomers. Previously, Du Queiroz and Pedro from Brazil, as well as Russian national team midfielder Alexander Kovalenko, joined the St. Petersburg club.
– The selection work must be carried out constantly. We do not always have what we would like, but nothing can be done. We have certain tickets. Strengthening will never harm anyone, – Semak is sure.
Daler Kuzyaev was rightfully considered one of the leaders of Zenit, he made a huge contribution to the fact that the club won five league titles.
In theory, another legionnaire can leave Zenit, we are talking about the Brazilian Claudinho. Several teams from his home country are showing interest in the midfielder, notably Flamengo and Corinthians. However, the blue and whites are unlikely to be ready to let such an important player go a couple of weeks before the start of the season, unless they are offered an impressive amount.
At the same time, talks about the possible departure of the leader of “Zenith”, another Brazilian Malcolm, calmed down. In winter, the midfielder was very close to leaving for Paris Saint-Germain, but he ended up staying in Russia. Another legionnaire – the Colombian Wilmar Barrios – is not going to leave Petrograd. In the next few days, he should return to St. Petersburg. It is possible that Barrios will take the field in the game against Fenerbahce on July 9.
