Today Spartak Moscow has one of the best attacking lines in the RPL. Guillermo Abascal has so many strikers at his disposal that some even have to wipe down the bench. And it’s not about promising people from the youth team, who still gain experience. Even seasoned legionnaires are sitting in the reserve.

Shamar Nicholson has not played a full match for the Red-Whites this season. The Jamaican striker has become a fan favorite after a bright celebration of victory in the Russian Cup final, but now there are few reasons for joy. Spartak seems to be selling its main merry fellow.

The club has even found a star to replace Nicholson.

deep spare

Nicholson was a regular starter last season and was noted for scoring. In the spring, Shamar managed to score 8 goals in all tournaments, and twice scored a double and once a hat-trick. Sometimes Paolo Vanoli used him as the only forward, and sometimes released in tandem with Alexander Sobolev. In any case, Shamar looked no worse than his partners and brought quite a lot of benefits ahead.

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Under Abascal, the Jamaican turned into a deep reserve. Since the beginning of the season, he has spent only 114 minutes in the game in the RPL – that is, a little more than one match. The current coach only needs one Sobolev on the edge, and Shamar does not fit into the scheme. The only question is why the choice fell on the Russian – especially since so far Alexander has scored only one goal …

Perhaps the point is Sobolev’s ability to play along. This season, Alexander already has 4 assists. In addition, he wins a lot of riding martial arts, thereby helping to disperse attacks. It can also be a matter of functional readiness – this is the opinion of our permanent expert Alexander Bubnov.

– I would not say that Sobolev is in some way radically stronger than his Jamaican counterpart. Perhaps he is simply in better physical shape, which means he can press more actively, ”said the former Spartak defender to Sportbox.ru.

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Care is close

Apparently, Nicholson did not have long to endure – he would soon leave Moscow. The head of the Spartak press service, Dmitry Zelenov, recently claimed that the club hopes to keep the Jamaican, but those surrounded by the football player are not too happy with the current state of affairs.

“We are just saddened by what is happening at the club. Fans love Shamar because he is a great professional, an excellent player and always gives his all for Spartak, the player’s agent said in an interview with Chempionat.

The attitude towards Nicholson has indeed always been positive. The Jamaican was especially fond of the fans after winning the Russian Cup. That evening, the striker did not score, but he showed a master class in celebrating. In the room under the stands, Shamar danced with Promes, kissed Rebrov and poured champagne on the journalists. Well, how not to love such a guy?

Shamar Nicholson / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Alexander Wilf

Alas, the status of the soul of the company will not help Nicholson. Another harbinger of his departure was the acquisition of Keith Balde, a striker who, by the standards of the Russian championship, could well be called a star. The Senegalese in his career managed to play for such teams as Lazio, Monaco and Inter, and was far from being in the last roles there. On the other hand, to call Keith a direct competitor of Nicholson will not turn your tongue. Balde is much shorter and relies more on speed than physical power. Not for nothing did he often play as a winger.

There are rumors that Spartak will not stop there. The club are also interested in Lance striker Ignatius Ganago. If this transfer takes place, then Nicholson will definitely have nothing to do as part of the Moscow club. The already serious competition will intensify at times.