Real Sociedad on Saturday announced the signing of the contract with Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan. The Sport observer spoke to Radio Marca journalists to find out what problems the midfielder will have to face, whether he will be able to fall in love with the fans in the same way as Valery Karpin, and why the Spanish club chose him specifically.
The problem of adaptation in Spain will most likely become one of the main for a young football player. But, as Luis Guillermo Molinero, a journalist and columnist for Radio Marca, noted, it will be easier for Zakharyan in this regard than for Alexander Mostovoy and Valery Karpin, who moved to the Iberian Peninsula in the 90s.
“The adaptation of Russian football players in Spain usually does not happen very quickly, it takes time,” Molinero emphasized. “We have examples of Mostovoy and Karpin when they first arrived in Spain, or Kerzhakov in Seville. But I think that Zakharyan, who comes to Spain as the leader of Dinamo, will not experience such problems with adaptation.In addition, he moves to Real Sociedad, which will allow him to know the Spanish league step by step without being pressured.
Ignorance At the same time, Molinero himself and his Marca colleague Eneko Picavea agreed that the main problem for the 20-year-old footballer would be the lack of knowledge of the Spanish language. But this omission can be compensated by dedication on the football field.
“As for the problems that may await him, this is the knowledge of the country and the Spanish language for a young man who is only 20 years old,” Molinero noted. “In addition, this is the transition from Russia directly to the Spanish league, one of the best in the world, and to Real Sociedad, a team that struggles every year to qualify for European competition, plus a Russian footballer who is unknown to the Spanish public, so he will still have to show his worth quickly enough to stake out a place in the first team and have match practice» .
«Yes, we believe that at the age of 20, without knowing the language, it will be difficult for him to adapt at first, — Pikawea said in turn. — The main problem that I see is Spanish, but from the point of view of football we agree that he will fit into the style of play of the Spanish league.»
The problem of politics If you read the comments under the news in the Spanish media about the transfer of Zakharyan, political overtones may cause alarm. Can the situation in the world make life difficult for Zakharyan after the move? Spanish journalists believe that there should be no problems.
“I don’t think that the political situation will be a problem in terms of attitudes towards Zakharyan,” Molinero said. “Real Sociedad is a club that always opens the door to young foreign players without any problems, regardless of their nationality. Maybe be it” Real», «Barcelona» or «Atletico», then there could be questions why to sign a Russian footballer. «Real Sociedad» is another matter, and the fans are already waiting for him, despite the fact that they could watch Zakharyan in «Dynamo» only on social networks.»
Pikawea, in turn, expressed the hope that he would do without strong pressure, given the midfielder's Armenian origin.
«I really want to believe that the political situation will not be a problem, especially considering his Armenian origin,» the expert said.
Will Zakharyan follow the path of Karpin? In Spain, the times of Karpin's speech are still perfectly remembered. He is truly respected, and therefore they consider the trust of the now head coach of the Russian national team to young Zakharyan to be a very important moment. Can Arsene become the same Russian symbol of Real Sociedad as Karpin was?
“It’s too early to talk about it,” Molinero said. “But he’s moving to a team that he can really fit in well with. The leadership he has shown at Dynamo will make him an important player for a new club if he continues to act in the same way he did in Moscow. learn from Brais Mendez, Takefusa Kubo, Oyarzabal and company.»
«I honestly hope that Zakharyan in Real Sociedad will become the same standard as Valery Karpin,» Pikawea stressed.
Real Sociedad was left without its leader, David Silva. Many are discussing whether Zakharyan will become a full-fledged replacement for the Spaniard, but almost everyone agrees that it is impossible to compare Silva and Zakharyan.
to replace him,» Molinero said. «Two options were being explored, one of which was Donny van de Beek from Manchester United, who they wanted to take on loan. The other, exotic bet, was on the Russian Arsen Zakharyan, whose contract with Dynamo was ending. in 2024, and that could be a bet on the future.It should be noted that Zakharyan is still not a player with the characteristics that Silva had, but he has qualities that will allow him to fit into the spectacular style of play of the new team and the club , which adheres to the philosophy of forming a composition of young people, relying on young talents».