The failure of this transfer will damage Russian football.
It’s time to see the success of the Russian talent in the Champions League. And Dynamo has few options. Either now they give Zakharyan for 12-15 million euros, or the player will stay, but in the winter he will conclude a preliminary agreement with a foreign club. Then in a year Muscovites will lose it for free. Under normal market conditions, the young midfielder could extend his deal with Dinamo so that the club could receive more money. But in that world Muscovites would have played in the Europa League last season.
Without the advertising of the European Cup and the possibility of showing off in official matches of the national team, the attacking midfielder has to think about his career. It is important to get into the top 5 quickly, as Kvaratskhelia managed to do. Feyenoord gave Dinamo too little money for the transfer of Zakharyan, but for Lazio 10-12 million euros, not counting bonuses, is a small price to pay for such a talented and young player. Roman sports director Fabiani complains about Dinamo’s booking, but the Azzurrini insist that the negotiation is in the final stage.
A year ago, clubs from the elite leagues were selected for Zakharyan. On the list, immediately behind Borussia D, where they know how to train talented youngsters, was Lazio. Sevilla were in the top three, showing interest, but the Spanish team has no money. La Liga clubs other than Real Madrid have suspended transfer activities due to old debts. Lazio have sold Milinkovic-Savic to Saudi Arabia for 40 million euros, have transferred the veteran and central defender Acerbi to Inter, and await an attractive offer for the playmaker Luis Alberto.
Lazio has money for newcomers. Zakharyan is not too expensive for them, like for Ajax. Let’s see where Arsen can go.
“Lazio” module
The vice-champions of Italy will play in the Champions League for only the third time in 16 years. Although the gap between Napoli in Serie A was huge, the Romans legitimately beat semi-finalists Inter and Milan Champions League. Even if you add ten points to Juventus – the amount of punishment for the financial fraud of the club’s management, Lazio will remain second in the table. The team’s losses are scattered throughout the season. We made a mistake in the Europa League because we didn’t progress from the group. Juventus did not go to the Italian Cup, where they had won before. But thanks to a trip to Champions League the season can be described as successful.
Head coach
Sarri is a former banker who has been on the periphery of coaching for a long time, only in adulthood did he receive recognition. The former Napoli coach is a systems specialist. The Neapolitan team, despite Sarri leaving five years ago, still uses some of his tactical tricks. The coaches borrow ideas from each other, Maurizio has many foundations for set-pieces and going up the flanks. Sarri didn’t have time to transform Lazio into his classic team in two seasons, because there is the legacy of Simone Inzaghi, also a coach with a recognizable style. But the Eagles have been more successful than many strong Italian teams. Zakharian could prove to be Sarri’s favourite, as Maurizio needs a young talent in the squad, there isn’t enough person for this archetypal role.
New partners
Milinkovic-Savic will not support Zakharyan’s attempts to create goals for Lazio. But if Castellanos and Immobile are in attack, Arsen will not be without recipients. Zakharyan is called to experienced partners. He lets winger Mattia Zaccagni play a bit at the top level, because he recently played for Verona, but he is also a very skilled footballer, which was also noticed by Italy manager Roberto Mancini. In the center of the field in “Lazio” 31-year-old Uruguayan Vesino. Castellanos, the author of the poker against Real Madrid, was recently signed. They add trump cards to the attack, and at the same time allow Anderson and Alberto to leave. Also, the Spanish legend Pedro will turn 36 in a few days, he is considering ending his career in a year. Lazio now have a squad that can fight for a place in the Champions League playoffs if the defense doesn’t fail.
Competitors
Versatility works for Zakharyan, he doesn’t have to play in the top three at all. But he can replace Luis Alberto in the area in front of the penalty area. The thirty-year-old Spaniard fights successfully for Lazio. At the end of last season he was at the base and helped the team with intelligent passing. Just last winter there was talk of the conflict between the footballer and Sarri, and the saga of Alberto’s transfer market has been going on for many years. Although the player has a contract until the summer of 2025, the playmaker has not hidden his desire to leave. If he doesn’t find a team in La Liga, he could end up in Saudi Arabia. Similar rumors are circulating about Anderson and Immobile. And if the forwards do not leave, then Zakharyan will take a place in midfield three, where not only Argentinean Paredes, a former Zenit player, is invited to marry. It will be more difficult for Arsene to enter Lazio’s attack on the left wing, but the team knows the plans of players of a known age, they must be strengthened with an eye to the future.
The ambitions of the club
Eagles president Lotito has long dreamed of winning the Scudetto. We remind you that even coach Spalletti, record holder of matches between coaches in Serie A, only won the coveted trophy this spring. Mentor Sarri is 64 years old, he too doesn’t know where to postpone the goal of surprising all of Italy. Almost all Serie A clubs have big financial problems. Lost European Cup finals didn’t change the situation. “Lazio” organized more cunningly, their debts are slightly less. The leaders of the “eagles” are ready to make noise in the Champions League. Zakharyan will be interested in the Italian championship, where Miranchuk plays. By the way, Alex is also looking for a new club.
In Zakharyan’s life, something will appear that is still little known – competition, but he is only twenty years old. He can spend a season getting to know the top division and Lazio’s style. He calmly seeks the optimal position in Sarri’s schemes. The coach dreams of finding a second Kvaratskhelia not by role, but by meaning. That is, a young trickster who helps attack with intelligence. Even a couple of successful matches by Zakharyan in the Champions League will be enough for Lazio to become his first and not the last famous club in the Western leagues.
