Russia’s football season ended almost two months ago, and most of the country’s newspapers were tipping a brisk trade in players once the January transfer window opened. However, a third of the way through the month, and much like the situation across Europe, player sales in Russia have largely fallen flat.
A number of Russian football clubs are in a period of transition after an unusual 2008 season, which saw outsiders Rubin Kazan grab the title for the first time in their history.
Former champions and UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg have been tearing themselves apart for the last six months, as the club’s top players (including Andrei Arshavin, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Anatoly Tymoshchuk) have all touted themselves for moves abroad. Arshavin, as is well documented, is currently negotiating a deal with Arsenal which may yet come to fruition.
Spartak Moscow changed their manager mid-season, bringing in Danish legend Michael Laudrup, and the club are expected to clear out a large number of players. CSKA Moscow have also seen changes, with coach Valery Gazzaev replaced by the Brazilian Zico. There are question marks over some of CSKA’s top players, including star of Euro 2008 Yuri Zhirkov and Brazil striker Vagner Love, with the latter persistently linked with a move to the Premier League.
Meanwhile some of Russia’s less well-known clubs also have business to do in January. The downturn in the Russian economy has left a few clubs fighting for their very existence. The Moscow state government recently injected a large sum of money into Premier League side Khimki to ensure their future, and to prevent a merger with another Moscow region club Saturn. They, along with other struggling clubs, will surely have to sell to stay afloat.
Indeed, the world economic crisis is sure to have an effect on Russian football, irrespective of the wealth of its various clubs. Gazprom, Zenit’s financial backers, are reported to be $50bn in the red, and the club may be forced to cash in on their big stars. Generally speaking, players in Russia are paid wages comparable to those of the big leagues of Europe, but those contracts may become untenable given Russia’s financial plight.
So we Russia-watchers were expecting a fire-sale once the clock hit midnight on December 31st. But trading has been eerily silent.
The most notable deal has seen Zenit St Petersburg’s French defender Sebastien Puygrenier depart on loan for Bolton after just six months and 16 games in Russia. Puygrenier failed to settle during Zenit’s post-UEFA Cup hangover, but didn’t help his cause by contriving to get himself sent off on debut. Gary Megson take note.
But for now Puygrenier is on his own, as no other big transfers have taken place.
There are two factors in this. Firstly, as mentioned above, players in Russia earn wages which many clubs in Europe cannot match. Secondly is the inflated prices which Russian clubs place on their players’ heads. Andrei Arshavin, for example, has grown exasperated by Zenit’s insistence on pricing him at around £15m.
However, the lack of trading is unlikely to remain by the end of January. Russian clubs in difficult financial straits will grow increasingly desperate to recoup some transfer fees, while players will do everything in their power to engineer moves. Arshavin, for instance, has already made he clear he will never play for Zenit again.
So keep one eye on dealings in the Russian Premier League, as it may become the forum for a late flurry of activity during the transfer window.
Players to watch:
Yuri Zhirkov – CSKA’s left-sided player starred for Russia at Euro 2008, and has been tipped by many as the most likely to be able to make a transition to Europe’s top leagues.
Alan Dzagoev – Only 18, but already a fixture in the CSKA side. A playmaker with fantastic vision and deadly from set pieces, Dzagoev has been linked to Chelsea.
Nikita Bazhenov – Spartak youngster who recently debuted for the Russian national side. A striker with pace and strength, he could tempt a Premier League club, though is still inexperienced.
Anatoly Tymoshchuk – Ukraine and Zenit captain who plays in the Roy Keane mould. He has been heavily linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Emir Spahic – Bosnian international who plays for Lokomotiv Moscow. A reliable defender who at 28 is reaching his peak. Has expressed an interest in moving away from Russia.
James Appell
