In mid-June, Evgeny Melezhikov was asked if there were any problems with the arrival of legionnaires after the holidays. The Spartak general director replied that he did not have such information: “I think everyone will arrive by the 22nd.”

But it’s already the 28th on the calendar, and far from everyone has arrived. Victor Moses, Martins Pereira, Shamar Nicholson have not yet been seen in the team’s location. In the spring, all three were the main ones in Spartak.

So, is it not limited to one Jordan Larsson? Will other legionnaires rejoice at parting with Spartak and Russia?

As the most alarming is to assess the situation with Moses. His absence today is a direct breach of contract. He intended to return to England back in March, when FIFA first gave the RPL legionnaires an absentee ballot. But the Nigerian was saved for Spartak by the Premier League, which banned the registration of players from Russian and Ukrainian clubs outside the transfer window, despite the permission of international authorities. And Burnley, as they said, had already prepared a contract for Victor.

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Moses has been in England since childhood, his family lives there. Therefore, it is impossible for him to avoid pressure in today’s political realities. And it is very difficult to resist this pressure.

Summing up the fresh experience of relations with the legionnaires, who, as you know, ran away from his team last spring, Leonid Slutsky said that all issues are actually resolved cynically and simply. It plays a role, firstly, how much the football player is in demand outside of Russia and, secondly, what contractual obligations the clubs take on. In other words, if some club in Europe gives the player the same money as in Russia, the person packs up and leaves.

Why should Moses resist if in England he is offered comparable terms? “For a rhombus” is not his topic: “Spartak” is already the tenth club in his life. As far as we know, with Nigerian citizenship, he has English citizenship, so it’s not even worth trying to weigh the motives that will determine his choice. Information flashed that today in England he had already received three offers, and if this is not a bluff, Spartak is unlikely to wait for Victor back.

For the other two absentees, the situation is different. Martins and Nicholson were involved in their national teams in the first half of the month – until June 14 and 15, respectively. In this regard, by the way, Malezhikov’s remark that everyone will arrive by the 22nd sounded strange. Initially, it was clear that the holiday would shift for this couple. Now it seems that the return date is July 3rd. But does that mean they’ll be back?

Let’s remember Slutsky again: demand and money. Is there a demand for these guys in other countries? Is someone ready to give them a salary comparable to Spartak?

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In winter, immediately after the signing of Nicholson, the sports director of Spartak Luca Cattani explained his market quotes. Like, the first level of forwards in Europe is Holland and Vlahovic, there are a few more people at the second level, and Nicholson is already at the third. That is, there is certainly interest in the Jamaican striker in Europe, another question is how much it can take shape.

Exactly the same story with Martins. Unless in this case the name of one interested club has already burst out. This is Bologna. It sounds quite authentic, referring to the Italian roots of Luca Cattani.

Actually, the departure of one or another legionnaire is not so terrible in itself. The really annoying thing is the almost inevitable financial loss of the club.

How this looks in practice has just been illustrated by the example of Jordan Larsson. First, a person leaves free of charge for the period provided for the suspension of the contract by FIFA decision. Then, when this period has expired, he makes it clear that he is not in the mood to return. He seeks termination of the contract – apparently, on not the most burdensome conditions. After that, he enters the market as a free agent, which means that at the next employment he implies a solid signing bonus.

Cynically and simply, according to Leonid Viktorovich’s definition. Nothing personal, just business.

And the club at the same time mourns the lost profits. If anything, the market value of Moses today is estimated at 3.5 million euros, Martins – 5 million, Nicholson – 7.5 million. But no one will give this money to Spartak today: why pay if you can take it for free? Even for a year, but who today will say what FIFA will come up with in a year?

Of course, the worst may not happen – the legionnaires will not scatter, but will remain. And God forbid that does not happen. It’s just that the realities force you to be prepared for what will happen. And at any moment. And not only with Spartak, but with any of our clubs.