A great start to the summer.
The results don’t match the ambitions.
Like last year, Lokomotiv finished the season with 53 points, then with that figure, the “red-green” team was in the top five, and this time they didn’t reach the top five. In any case, the last four seasons can’t be attributed to the team’s assets. The “Railway Workers” are used to fighting for medals and with optimal opportunities – and for the championship.
Now the team is far from that. The roster has been updated – and now the backbone is either youngsters or players without championship experience. This also affects the game: just look at how last season played out for the team. The “Railway Workers” started so brilliantly that they even kept pace with Krasnodar and Zenit – these teams ultimately competed for the title. Loko squeezed its rivals from match to match, the farm boy shimmered on the field and gradually returned to Pinyaev’s form.
At the same time, from the very beginning of the problems, all the shine evaporated somewhere. Before the break, there were four games without a win, draws with Makhachkala and Akhmat after the restart, in the spring – nightmares 1:5 for the “Wings”, defeat to Rubin, and a draw with Orenburg. This stretch revealed all of Loko’s problems. Yes, it was possible to start the championship magnificently, but the departures of Glashenkov, Anton Miranchuk, and Zemaletdinov deprived the team of any depth and stability. The backbone is players in the mood, but there is simply no plan B. This club is clearly not suitable.
Gradually swinging the story with the striker
And so it goes. The team’s performance is excellent, but so far, unstable and inexperienced. Barinov is a top player in the strike zone, but without him, there’s no one to keep the team in good shape. There’s a choice between Suleimanov and Vorobyov at striker, but the former has been in disarray since losing the competition, and the latter lacks the high-end power that will carry the team forward.
And their presence for Loko at one point was a step forward. Timura was acquired in a pairing with Dziuba. Artyom needed a replacement, and the Red-Green bosses doubted whether it was worth extending the contract with the older striker, whose behavior had begun to embarrass again. When Vorobyov arrived, Muscovites were given a choice between two players of roughly equal skill. Ideally, this would be a healthy competition that would improve both. In fact, Vorobyov quickly devoured Suleimanov.
But now it’s time to move on – the same Timur doesn’t even qualify as a stock player. In such conditions, they turned to Nikolai Komlichenko, who was sitting in Rostov, but now he was left without Karpin. A shoulder ripe for a repeat call – the first trip to Moscow failed. Komlichenko’s appearance is again a small step forward. But he was still finished.
Will use the bankruptcy of “Hikom”
“Railway workers” are more demanding than Spartak or Zenit. The latter spend a lot of money and bring in top-quality players. The “red-green” must live on its means, hence the transfer of Suleimanov, Vorobyov, and others.
In such a situation, Khimki’s bankruptcy is very useful for Loko. Many players are entering the market, giving Muscovites an opportunity to buy someone at a discount. Loko attracted attention for three at once. First, we’re talking about Lucas Vera. The midfielder is not eligible for the club, which has been fighting for survival – not only did Loko come for him when he played for Orenburg. Then, the Argentine was not affordable for Muscovites – now the midfielder will get Loko as a free agent. According to rumors, the footballer will receive 1.5 million euros for the transfer, and his salary will amount to 5.5 million rubles per month.
He will join Muscovites Zelimkhan Bakaev and Alexander Rudenko. Zelimkhan has already officially rebuilt the Red-Greens’ lineup. Former Himk players will add depth to Loko’s flanks, so the team will now have an alternative if Pinyaev, Saltykov, or Samoshnikov’s play doesn’t go well.
Tiknizhanyan Sale – Not a Loss
Nair was Loko’s leader, but last season he clearly deteriorated. The defender lost his position early on, and Galaktionov found a quality replacement. This led to the player openly speaking about his difficult situation—and then there were reports of his retirement. In any case, bridges have been burned.
Now, Nar is one step away from finalizing his move to Tsrven Star. And in fact, this transition will benefit everyone. Tiknizhanyan’s career, which was at full speed, had reached a dead end. There was no room for him at the beginning, and a player with such a set of qualities shouldn’t be sitting on the bench. Lokomotiv had no use for holding onto an asset that could be profitable. And so the club, according to the data Mediawill receive at least two million euros.
Lost competition
At the same time, deals for two other players are being prepared. First of all, it’s worth mentioning Timur Suleimanov. The striker gave hope when he came from Paris-Nord Nizhny Novgorod and was a quality replacement for Dziubu. However, after Vorobyov’s arrival, something didn’t work out, and Timur became the “red-green” ballast.
In the summer, the Railway Workers actively began searching for a team for the player. Among the candidates were Rostov, Wings of the Soviets, Baltica, and Akhmat. It was reported that the Rostovites emerged as the winners of the race. Initially, the lease was announced for one season, but at the last minute, the clubs changed their minds. According to the latest information, it will be a full transfer, with a fee of €400,000.
In addition to him, Loko will be leaving Vadim Rakov, but in his case, it’s a lease. However, Vadim is a Red-Green player born in 2005, as well as a farm. For Alexei, things turned out much more successfully – the team lost three players at once in his position, and a quality replacement was too expensive, and the player himself was ready to take on such responsibility. Vadim remains patient and proves his worth. Apparently, he will spend the next season in the Wings of the Soviets or at Paris Saint-Germain.
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