Does anyone need Sobolev? Zenit’s history has become a blinder
Dmitry Zimin August 8, 2024, 08:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The champions, like Spartak, are doing well. And the main transfer of the summer is still on hold.
It’s been two weeks since Alexander Sobolev was suspended from work with Spartak. A long time for a professional footballer. All of this is now known: the guy works individually at the base and has no conflict with anyone. It seems surreal: a very expensive footballer (both in terms of salary and cost) is not ready to help the team achieve results and cannot leave. Instead, he runs in circles and works with one of the coaches. Obviously not by raising your level.
Who will leave Zenit?
Classification
Zenit must get rid of at least five players. Who is leaving?
Zenit is completely silent. If you analyze the endless stream of insiders, you can identify the main thing: negotiations are now on hold. And St. Petersburg is not commenting on the situation. They only hint that another player could join the team. However, it is not a fact that it will be Sobolev. After all, there is interest in others.
But it is surprising that the break lasted so long. Considering, in fact, the player’s direct statement about his desire to change clubs. Indeed, at the time of his withdrawal from training, a clear message appeared: they say: I cannot fully concentrate on work because I want a change. At the same time, Ivan Karpov said that Spartak had not received an official offer. And all the communication in this story revolves around one figure – agent Pavel Andreev. Allegedly, he verbally submitted an offer of 8 million euros to the red-and-white management, but was told that this was not enough. Then the news reached St. Petersburg. Apparently they did not believe it so, because according to Transfermarkt the guy is worth only 7.5 million euros and then the game is who will blink first. As long as everyone keeps their eyes and mind open.
Alexander Sobolev at Spartak
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
There is supposedly still interest from Turkey. However, it is very, very vague. And it is unlikely that Sobolev’s professional dream is to get there. If we go to a foreign championship, it will be in a more European direction. But silence reigns there. It is not surprising, because in 2024 Alexander played poorly. And it is unlikely that this will be able to provoke foreign clubs to make offers.
And what a wonderful moment we are witnessing now. It seems that the footballer is giving his club an ultimatum. There are two interesting people in this whole story: his agent and Zenit. Probably, as expected, Spartak had to agree to any conditions to get rid of such an asset. After all, he needs to pay a salary, have a coach around him and everything else. But in Moscow they acted contrary to all expectations: if you want to get him, you pay 12 million euros or more. If you don’t pay, it’s your problem. And Sobolev too. The first act of this story was missed by the player and his agent. And in St. Petersburg they are probably watching all this with a slight smile, confident that in the end everything will turn out as it should.
Sergey Semak
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, “Championship”
But so far there are really no prerequisites. It would be fine if Spartak had no money. However, considering all their recent signings, everything is fine at the club. So the leader’s salary is definitely not the most critical part of the budget. You can ignore it for a while. In terms of results, the club did not lose anything either. Look at how Ugalde, whom everyone wrote off in the spring, revealed himself without Sobolev in the lineup. And, apparently, Stankovic no longer needs a Russian. The coach indicated that he was ready to play with a low forward up front, who was comfortable interacting with other attacking players, for example, with Barco.
There is no point in trying to force the story for Zenit either. After all, the club is currently scoring more than anyone else in the RPL. Glushenkov is in great form, Cassierra has scoring chances in every match and there is no need to spoil that. Although Semak is probably of the opinion that the coach needs a power forward to get through the season with the least losses.
While Sobolev is out of action, another striker has emerged at Spartak:
Ugalde was reborn after unbridled criticism. Why does the Spartak striker score so many goals?
So the parties continue to play the same game of blinkers. For now, the footballer and his agent have taken the first step. The rest is on hold.
And who will be the next to blink?
