Sasha - Football Scout

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗱❔ A few days ago, I announced that Zakharyan's transfer to Real Sociedad was finalized, and I'm delighted that the rumors surrounding our young player are finally over. We can also thank the 🇷🇺 journalists who are very effective in sharing accurate information. 👏 𝗡𝗼𝘄, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗱? Real Sociedad will play for 🇪🇸 in the Champions League. It's a stable club that develops young players excellently and is always ready to sell them if the demanded offer is made. The coach, 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹, has been working at the club since 2018, which is another sign of stability. In my opinion, this is a significant info because it's rare these days that you have a highly regarded coach who has managed to establish a strong tactic/mentality within this club for many years. Real Sociedad's academy is very good and unlike Bilbao, foreigners can play. However, all other things being equal, they always give preference to their own players. Players from outside are only taken in cases where they are clearly stronger than the locals. And I think that it's a fantastic approach that should be present in many clubs. The purchase of Zakharyan by Real Sociedad is reassuring as it proves that the club believes in him. This topic is reassuring but in 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻? The San Sebastián team have a possession-based style of play with a relatively high tempo, where players are involved in offensive combinations in a rather narrow playing style. They have two fundamental formations: 𝟰-𝟯-𝟯 and 𝟰-𝟰-𝟮. In a 4-3-3 formation, it seems that there might not be a place for Zakharyan in the starting lineup. At least it's not immediately evident. There's no gap in the lineup that the Russian national team midfielder could fill. On the left wing, where 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 could play, the captain 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹 𝗢𝘆𝗮𝗿𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹 takes the position. He's a very intelligent player, representing the Spanish national team, and he's also a product of Real Sociedad's academy. He doesn't seem like someone Zakharyan could replace, and it's unlikely that 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹 would be willing to bench him. However, this conclusion comes to mind if we consider 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 as a winger, whereas in reality, I believe he's a pure number 8. He's capable of quickly advancing forward with excellent ball control and has the ability to take long shots to unlock situations. Ultimately, this is good news as the wing positions are well-covered by players like 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼, 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱-𝗔𝗹𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗼, 𝗢𝘆𝗮𝗿𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼. 𝗔𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗱 In a 4-3-3 formation, the ideal combination would be 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗼 - 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗭𝘂𝗯𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶 - 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀. Here, it appears that 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 would be the first substitute. I don't think he will be a direct starter, but he will have to fight for his place while learning from very experienced players, which is excellent for his career. Competition doesn't intimidate him, and he has proven that with Dynamo, the national team, and the U21 national team. Considering that Real Sociedad has three tournaments ahead, midfield rotation is certain. So even if Arsen is not a regular starter, he will definitely get some playing time. However, once again, displacing someone from the trio of Merino - Zubimendi - Mendes would be his goal for the season. 4-3-3 formation: 𝑶𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒛𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒍 (𝒁𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒂)🇪🇸 𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒂 🇵🇹 𝑲𝒖𝒃𝒐 🇯🇵 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒐 (𝒁𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒂)🇪🇸 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒛 (𝒁𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒂)🇪🇸 𝒁𝒖𝒃𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊 🇪🇸 It's a whole different scenario if Real Sociedad employs a diamond formation in the midfield. Last season, 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹's team often played in this manner. The lower central midfielder was Zubimendi, on the flanks were Merino and Mendes. In the "number ten" position, David Silva frequently occupied the role. In this formation, Zakha is capable of starting as a regular player since he doesn't face any competition for that position. According to Real Sociedad fans, it's quite likely that this tactic will be adopted, and in that case, Arsen will be a key component of the Basque team's gameplay. 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 will be joining, and with the return to the diamond formation, it becomes a significant chance for Arsen to dive into the starting lineup. 4-4-2 (diamond) formation: 𝑶𝒚𝒂𝒓𝒛𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒍 🇪🇸 𝑲𝒖𝒃𝒐 🇯🇵 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 🇷🇺 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒐 🇪🇸 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒛 🇪🇸 𝒁𝒖𝒃𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊 🇪🇸 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗭𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲. Moreover, Zakharyan is the first Russian player since February 2022 to make a money-driven transfer from the Russian league to a top European league. It's great that Real Sociedad took the initiative – being the first is never easy. However, a lot now depends on Arsen himself. His performance will greatly influence whether the interest of European clubs in Russian players persists. Are they good enough to be taken from the Russian Premier League despite payment challenges, reputational risks, and other difficulties? Valery Karpin and Dmitry Khokhlov once made a mark in San Sebastián. So now, it's the turn of #Zakharyan! #LaLiga #RealSociedad

I did a few posts about Kirill Kravtsov in the past, it was clear that he had the potential to become a starter for the NT and to play in Europe. I’m very happy to see him leave Sotchi and joining such a good club! High expectation 🙏 #DinamoZagreb @CroatiaFooty @gnkdinamo

Yegor Prutsev scored two goals and provided an assist on his Ligue 2 debut for Dunkerque. Very happy for him. I’d been waiting to see him make the move to a second division in one of Europe’s top five leagues. A great step in his career and a very good choice.

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Congrats to Adam on his first call-up with the Finland senior team. The door has never been closed for the Sbornaya, but I feel like the staff doesn’t really look at players from the ‘lower’ divisions, even if they have potential. He’s a great guy, very open, let’s wish him the best of luck! 🫶🏼

Iosifov will receive his first NT call this year trust me. @TeamRussia

I’m not sure that Edik needs to go to Southampton. The Championship is a very good league, but with Spertsyan’s talent & aptitudes, he should be playing in the top tier of a top 5 league. Spain or France would suit him very well. Krasnodar has always managed good deals, so we just need to wait until the end of August. I’m pretty sure he will leave. #Spertysan

Nikita Iosifov is having a brilliant start to the season, continuing the momentum he built up in January with Celje. The player developed at Lokomotiv and Villarreal is finally showing what he’s capable of: explosive, agile, and intelligent in his movement. Already 4 goals and 4 assists for the 24-year-old winger (already..). I’m glad to finally see him thriving

Nikita Iosifov is very good, this a good news

Khvicha & Safonov are enjoying their time together with their wifes in New York.

When I see this type of deal, I really appreciate the fact that Russian scouts are doing a great job overall. We have many diverse examples, but unfortunately, Russian clubs still don’t know how to showcase the tremendous work done by their scouts.

Who is surprised?

🔍| 🇷🇺 Anton Shamonin (2005) made his first start for Rostov against Zenit two weeks ago. Nothing particularly exciting, but definitely a good call for next season — especially if Komlichenko or Golenkov leaves!

I’m back. Next thread: •Egor Prutsev (finally) •Matvey Kislyak •Yaroslav Gladyshev •Aleksey Batrakov ⭐️ All before the transfer window.

NIKITA HAIKIN PLAYED A FANTASTIC PENALY SHOOTOUT AND SENT BODO GLIMT THROUGH TO SEMIFINAL 💪🏼 #BODOGLİMT #LazioBodo

What I’m about to say might surprise you, but for the past two years, I’ve really enjoyed watching Bodo Glimt’s European matches. And over time, a real opinion has formed: Haikin is the best Russian goalkeeper right now — and he’s got nothing to envy from Safonov. Great with his feet, solid off his line, and a beast on his line. He’s clearly been one of the key players in Bodo Glimt’s impressive European runs. If we could call him up, he’d be fighting for the No.1 spot with the Sbornaya🇷🇺

I watched Celje play yesterday with Iosifov and Prutsev in the starting eleven, and it was nice to see them on the pitch together. But above all, it was great to see Nikita back in action — he had a very good game, involved in both of Celje’s goals. Technical, fast, and powerful — I still have hope for his future. One to watch.

🇷🇺 Anton Miranchuk (AM, 1995) is in the Swiss League TOTW! A solid performance from him with an assist and two big chances created. Unfortunately, Sion struggled with finishing and lost the game 1-2. Anton seems to be playing better and better here 🇨🇭 #Sion #Miranchuk