retired_-pearl-

Offseason

The offseason is now upon us, and the Zenith team that won a historic domestic treble will be significantly different. Too many unsettled players, deadweight and malcontents to be foisted off and too many glowing scout reports to ignore. Let us examine the departures first.

Departures
Radek Sirl to Spartak Moscow: Despite playing brilliantly down the left wing, and helping himself to three winner’s medals – the Czech winger has wanted out for months. Spartak came in with a reasonable £2.2M bid for him and I grudgingly accepted. He wasted no time in agreeing with our archrivals which will certainly make him a popular figure around here.
Vladimir Bystrov to Spartak Moscow: The 20yr old winger really came into his own this year – holding down a first team slot and producing some truly sensational displays. His contract expired in twelve months, and was unprotected. I approached him about resigning with us only for his agent to inform me that Spartak had also made an offer. Bystrov preferred Spartak to Zenith and also joined our archrivals for a compensation fee of £3.7M.
[b]Lukas Hartig, Dragan Cadikovski and Jan Flachbart to elsewhere[/i] : They weren’t very good, and they were complaining about playing time and making good money – so they were ushered on in free or very small transfers back to their home nations.

Those were the only players who made any significant first team appearances that left in the offseason – but Bystrov and Sirl leave enormous holes down my left and right wings.

retired_-pearl-

In August, the board and I had a meeting. At that point, the board was truly convinced that I was the right man to lead Zenith to future success, so they called me in to discuss the direction of the club. First priority was to improve the training ground and facilities. They weren’t horrible, but they weren’t good enough for a team of our stature, and they didn’t have under-soil heating on the practice fields, which meant that some days we had to cancel practice because of inclement weather. An expansion of the stadium was discussed, but was decided against because the attendance wasn’t consistently near-sellout. The board agreed to the training ground improvements, but cautioned that in the winter I would not have the kind of transfer fund I had the last time because of the cost of the upgrade. Most arrivals would have to be paid for with departures.

Arrivals

Miguel Benjamin Ramos, 16, Columbian; from Envigado; £160k compensation : Joining an increasing Columbian contingent in St. Petersburg this youngster is adored by my scouts and coaches. Already with the skills to make a few first team appearances, his mental skills aren’t quite there yet – as you’d expect from a teenager – but he’s got the potential to be a star midfielder.

Makhach Gadviev, 17, Russian[/i], from Spartak Moscow; £16k compensation : Almost a makeweight in the Sirl deal, I poached him after Spartak went straight cash - he’s a decently talented young right winger and the compensation was only a pittance, so I could take a chance on him. Like most youngsters, this is probably the only time you’ll ever hear his name until we quietly announce his release in a few years.

Javier Araujo, 21, Columbian from America de Cali; £1,1M : An attacking midfielder capable of playing either wing, or in the middle he’s sublimely talented offensively and not averse to going hard into tackles to win the ball back. He’s young, and will doubtless have problems settling, but with a growing Columbian contingent and an almost guaranteed starting place I think he’ll fit in.

Andrey Karyaka, 27, Russian from Krylja Sovetov; £1.1M : A classy left winger who’ll step into the starting lineup immediately. He’s an exceptional athlete - and clever on the ball and absolutely lethal from dead-ball situations. One of the best wingers in Russia, and we got him for a quarter of my valuation of him.

Milana Ivana, 22, Slovakian from Stare Mesto; £425k : I bought him on a hunch. I don’t know where he’s going to play exactly. Like Arshavin he can play on the wing, behind the striker, or even as a striker proper. Technically gifted, he’s also an exceptional athlete and got a solid head on his shoulders. His best position seems to be an attacking winger. He comes from the same team as Sumulikoski, so he shouldn’t have too many problems settling.

Julio Cesar, 26, Brazilian from Ponte Preta, £325k : A striker to back-up Alexandr, or even partner him on occasion. He’s been on loan in Greece for the past two seasons, so the move to Russia shouldn’t be too traumatic - he’s fast, and solidly built. He’s an average finisher and a hard worker with a flair for the dramatic.

Wellington, 24, Brazilian from Santos, Free Transfer : A well-rounded defensive midfielder. He was released on a free, and his agent had previously contacted me about playing for my club. I took him on trial after he left Santos and he was impressive in practice so I signed him to a permanent deal. He’ll push Sumulikoski for a starting spot.

retired_hamawandi

Cracking story - I love unknown leagues. I was going to write of my exploits in the singaporean league and i might just do it, inspired by this tale of a league you didn't even know about. Class

Richey

retired_gabriel1993

great choice of club, Puedlfor.

I myself am playing with Zenit as well in my game, although with the 2004 roster and starting the league in summer time because other Western European leagues are running in the background.

I had great success with the team finishing runner-up and champion in two consecutive seasons.
I signed Andrey Karyaka and Petr Bystrov in my first season. Maybe good tips to sign for your squad.

Davay Pitertsy !!

retired_liew wai kheng

basquing - nice

well done on winning the league

retired_-pearl-

Thanks for the complements.

Richey : More stories about unknown leagues, or even leagues like Brazil is a good thing, please write the story - Singapore should be an interesting read

Roelchik : Yes, Zenith is a fun team to play with. Talented and young and in a growth league. I considered Bystrov, but it was a choice between him and Karyaka and I could only take one - but you're right he is class.

abu645 : hehe, I couldn't resist making a bad pun. Thanks for the nice words.

Season Preview

Last season was a fantastic success. We crushed all who lay before us in Russia in winning every domestic competition we were entered in. Prior to this season, we were made third favorites to win the title – behind Spartak and Lokomotiv. The 7-1 odds quoted for our title bid are better than last years, but still bizarre. I may not be a household name anywhere but St. Petersburg, but that didn’t stop Zenith from being the best team in Russia by a country mile. And quite frankly, we’re the best team in Russia this season too. Yes, we lost big when Sirl and Bystrov both left to our rivals – but we replaced them with players of similar talent – and cleared out the deadwood, replacing it with an influx of athletic, talented players from around the globe.

I am not going to gauge this season in the same manner as last season. Last season, I was an unknown manager trying to get by on a title challenging team and leading them to unprecedented success. This year, we should win the title. We should win the Russian Cup. What will make or break the season doesn’t even come into play until July and August. Championship League Qualifiers. We have to make the European competition proper. Not just for the money it would generate, but for the prestige of all Russian teams. Last year was an embarrassment for us. Swept from Europe early, and sent back to Russia with a lesson on how to play football. Well, this year is different. I can’t control how Dinamo and Lokomotiv do in the UEFA Cup – but I fully intend to qualify for the Champion’s League. It won’t be easy, we’ll be an unseeded team and forced to play some of the biggest names in Europe – but I am confident we can pull it off.

Unless we have to sell Kerzhakov, then we’re boned good and proper.

retired_-pearl-

Squad Overview

Goalkeepers

Vyacheslav Malafeev,GK - RUS(24/0): The no. 1 most of last year he was solid in goal – producing 24 clean sheets in 49 times out. In his free time, he was able to steer the Russian national team into the World Cup by keeping a couple vital clean sheets – none bigger than his Man of the Match performance in Dublin in the playoffs. Starter as long as he’s healthy and doesn’t play like ass.

Kamil Contofalsky, GK - SVK(20/0): Still playing the role of the perfect back-up. Not quite good enough that you’d want to start him all the time – not bad enough that the starter gets complacent.

retired_-pearl-

Defenders

Rahmutallo Fuzailov, D/DM R - TJK(19/2): A solid link in a championship side. He was threat going forward, but improved his defense over the season so that he wasn’t caught out too much. He still strays a bit from his position and his tackling needs some improvement, but he’s the incumbent starter at right back and I haven’t brought anyone in to challenge him.

Rubén DarÃ*o Bustos, D/DM RL – COL(6/0): I enjoy having him on the team. He’s a complete fullback and a solid athlete. He’s probably more comfortable on the right side of the field, as that is his natural foot – but you couldn’t tell from his performances down the left flank. One of the few players that looked like they belonged in European competition he’s going to start at left back. Unless I buy a new left back and he moves to right. Either way.

Erik Hagen, D C – NOR(2/0): His play forced himself back into national team contention. A bruising center-back who’ll get as much man as the ball at times – and isn’t afraid to knock someone to the turf to send a message – he’s also the club captain. Take from that what you will.

Denis Kolodin, D/DM LC - RUS(9/2): A classy defender who can double as a holding midfielder on occasion – he’s not the bruiser that Hagen is, but is more technically skilled and unlike Hagen, he comfortable with the ball at his feet and is perfectly able to begin the build-up. A Russian regular based on last season’s form – he’s the starter next to Hagen in the back-line.

Milan Vjestica, D C – SCG: A decent defender who finally won the battle to partner Hagen just in time to see Kolodin come in and completely outclass him. He’s technically competent and anticipates the play well, but his mediocre athletic abilities slap a ceiling on his abilities. He will be an able backup for the center-back position.

Ivica Krizanac, D C – CRO: Athletically blessed, his skills and his head just sometimes let him down. He was capable of producing some competent performances, but he sometimes went out there and was absolutely atrocious. Only his physical skills keep on the team and as he ages he better either get better or get a second job.

Martin Skrtel, SW/D C – SVK: Promoted from the youth team, the youngster is a regular in Slovakia’s under 21 set. He’s smart, but a bad athlete, and offers nothing going forward, despite his competent dribbling skills. He will see little time.

Alexey Katulskiy, SW/D/DM RLC – RUS : He’s painfully average. But all those letters next to his name make him versatile enough that I keep him around.

retired_-pearl-

Defensive Midfielders

Velice Sumulikoski, D/DM C – MKD(234/3): He’s certainly a presence on the field. He was serviceable going forward, but his strength was annihilating opposition forays into our half. He dominates the defensive half of the field. Unfortunately – he feels he’s accomplished as much as he can here and asked to be placed on the transfer list – a move guaranteed to **** me off, and move near the bottom of the selection sheet.

Wellington, DM C – BRA: This delightfully named midfielder offers much more in the attack than Sumulikoski. More skilled and with more flair he’s capable of some magic in attack. He says his favorite position is defensive midfield, but I don’t think he and I share the same idea of defensive midfield. While I’m looking for a leg-breaker to shatter opposing attacks, he’s more in the mold of orchestrating an attack and acting as a release valve to reset the offense. He’ll get a shot at the spot in front of the defense, but he’s more likely to play in central midfield.

Olexandr Gorshkov, DM C – UKR(4/2): At the ripe old age of 36, Olexandr forced himself onto the Ukranian team selection sheet one last time with an incredible scoring record for a defensive midfielder. He’s a complete player, and has a knack of scoring in crucial situations – rescuing a point for the Ukraine against Turkey that was crucial to their qualification for the World Cup. I think it would be fantastic, just fantastic if he got the call to Germany 2006.

retired_-pearl-

Wingers

Andrey Karyaka, AM L – RUS(27/6): Classy left winger. Sirl was good, but Karyaka is better. He’s just hitting his prime now and although he’s older than the wingers I lost – I feel his experience will be crucial to defending the title. Last year we were a surprise, now everyone will be gunning for us.

Javier Araújo, AM RLC – COL(2/0): He’d gotten his first cap shortly before the move to Zenith, and seemed to be on the cusp of a regular Columbian slot – until several players experienced a career rejuvenation due to club moves. I’m worried that Araújo might find himself out of sight and out of mind and it will cost him a visit to the World Cup. At only 21 though, he’s a hell of a talent and will feature sooner rather than later. I’m putting him at the wing, but he could play in the middle and still dominate a game.

Olexandr Spivak, AM RLC – UKR(3/0): Not the fastest winger on the pitch, but smart and skilled. Ice-cold from the penalty spot, half his goals came from there and were the difference in many a game.

Milan Ivana, F RC – SVK: Purchased on a whim almost, he looked a capable deputy for Kerzhakov at the time of the buy, but now that I’ve gotten a better look at him, he seems naturally suited to playing on the wing or working off a forward. Useful player and fast.

Attacking Midfielders

Andrey Arshavin, F RC – RUS(18/5): I love him. I really do. He’s creative, hard working and loyal. He genuinely wants to stay at Zenith for the bulk of his career. He’s also clutch - scoring goals at key times and creating them at others. It was his famous strike that gave Russia the edge against Ireland in the first leg and he was responsible for creating the penalty in extra-time in the second. Hagen is the normal captain, but when Hagen isn’t playing Arshavin will get the armband.

Igor Denisov, AM C – RUS: Igor really blossomed last year with regular playing time, and this year I’m looking at him to take up more of the load. He’s got a knack for scoring goals, but he’s going to need to start creating them too.

Vladislav Radimov, AM C – RUS(36/3): Placed on the transfer list at his request after clammering for a move to a bigger club all season long.

Oleg Kozhanov, F LC – RUS: A talented youngster coming up from the youth teams. He’s good with the ball at his feet and smart and composed. If only he wasn’t such a dreadful athlete.

Strikers

Alexandr Kerzhakov, F LC – RUS(37/16): What can you say about him that hasn’t already been said about Jesus? Joint high scorer in World Cup qualifying with Ruud Van Nistelrooy and ahead of Andriy Schevchenko.

Julió César, S C – BRA: Bought on the cheap, he’ll be an able deputy for Kerzhakov. More flair than Alexandr, though he doesn’t have his killer instinct around the goal.