Semak will look into interesting players.

Zenit’s footballing power on the pitch was built vertically from central defenders (first Rakitskiy, then Lovren) to forwards. Both ends were cut short within a year, as Azmun and Dzyuba left, as veterans of the defense. Barrios remained, who was actively assisted by the player Wendel. But when a new defense is formed, the search continues in the attack, then people like Kuzyaev are needed.

Especially considering that Wendel, Claudinho and Malcolm are unlikely to get old RPL. At the same time, Daler was already losing interest in his native club, recently trying to get a job Premier League and the League. The search was unsuccessful, but even in the event of a contract renewal, the Russian central midfielder Zenit needs. Semak has several decent options, and their feature is players of the same line, but different approaches, that is, in parallel you can update the midfield game, and not just close the position.

Option 1. Leave Kuzyaev

Let’s start with the obvious. According to Daler among the best players of the season, not only Zenit. He is logical, because he has 5 goals and 3 assists. Of all the Russians, only Chernov, Litvinov and Ionov pass more accurately than the wagon, who covered Semak’s positions in the center of midfield, although if necessary he will play like Sutormin on the right in defense. Alexei wanted to leave Zenit in the winter to practice playing, but Daler could make another attempt to leave for the top 5. The midfielder is 30, a respectable but not critical age, especially for the league leaders Turkish.

According to the mastermind of Zenit, everything must be done to keep Kuzyaev for another couple of years. But the parties initially signed a contract only until the summer of 2023, a key point. The footballer doubted that he would practice the match in a team of well-known Latin Americans. He still has his doubts, because Du Queiroz plays in midfield and will arrive in July. But the Brazilian can become a replacement for Claudinho or Wendel, their departure in the summer is not excluded. So the Zenit scouts continue to follow the Russian midfielders and compare them with each other.

Option 2. Convince Barinov

Dmitry tried to leave for Turkey, but they saw the outcome of the negotiations. Lokomotiv has asked for a lot of money for a footballer whose contract will expire in a year. Buyers logically declined. Barinov clearly has no desire to stay long at the club with so many changes and transfers, and they are unlikely to always be strengthened. The midfielder, who has also played from base in central defence, may attract Semak’s attention.

Kuzyaev, after the Zenith school, traveled the world and returned to St. Petersburg to Akhmat, when he already had a lot of football experience. Barinov is also tried, but he didn’t finish writing his personal football story until the end. If Zenit recruits Barinov cheaply and cheerfully, then this is a good footballer who can insure himself in two important lines. But Dmitry needs training guarantees, and here everything depends on the plans of the Brazilians.

Option 3. Signature Fomin

A year and a half ago, the player’s representative always replied that Fomin was not going anywhere. But in January, Manyakov’s agent, when asked whether Daniil would finish this season at Dynamo to the end, did not answer as expected. The mediator said that anything is possible, as the rumors did not arise from scratch. Fomin has attracted interesting clubs in the Bundesliga – from the group of current leaders, with stable coaches who are interesting to work with, so the 25-year-old midfielder does not think like his representative.

But we know how Kuzyaev went to Betis, but returned to Zenit. Fomin may have a similar story, especially since he was watched in St. Petersburg a few years ago. If the Dynamo player is needed by the Semak team, the transfer can only be interrupted by a personal refusal, as can be with Zobnin. But Fomin will definitely think about it if an invitation from the champions comes.

Option 4. Check Kovalenko

The midfielder, who is only 19, can attract the attention of big clubs RPL, if in the spring, after the departure of some outstanding players, Krylya Sovetov continues to receive game practice and will be even more important for the team than in the fall. So far Kovalenko has alternated between very successful games and weak ones. But there were fewer of the latter, because the footballer is technically gifted. He is not without talent in selection, even if physically he will add a few more years in a row. He understands attacking football, which is important for Semak.

Zenit’s scouts made an obvious bet on young defender Renan, but it was simple: after winning the America’s Youth Cup, the Brazilian is paired with Real Madrid. Isn’t it time to add a champion to the roster? RPL young Russian players? Kovalenko made his debut for the national team. If he spends a shock spring, he will become one of the options with the right passport.

Option 5. Bet on Glebov

Why not Utkin? Glebov looks more promising in a successful duet. Although in terms of the position Danil closes in Karpin’s Rostov, he is more of a competitor for Barrios than a replacement for Kuzyaev. Glebov has a contract only until 2024, which affects the cost of the transfer. The footballer is right-footed, he can easily climb a little higher according to the scheme, performing the functions of, if not Kuzyaev, then the right central midfielder, without interfering with either the Colombian in the support zone or Vendel on the left. Glebov, like Kuzyaev, is one of the heroes of the season and spring hopefuls RPL.

Danil equalized the lines in Rostov when he went on defence. He has 4 goals and 3 assists which is a brilliant result for a defensive midfielder. Glebov is only twenty-three years old, a very young midfielder. Rostov will need money to live on, and if the midfielder doesn’t find a club in the Western League, then Zenit is the expected option to continue his career. Still a guy of character. When Spartak called him two years ago, the player supported the refusal of the Rostov bosses, as he did not want to quarrel with people who believed in him.