- There are rumors in the Spanish media about the possible transfer of Alexei Miranchuk to Barcelona. Do you believe that a midfielder could attract the attention of blue garnet?

- Miranchuk is a football player of a normal level. At the same time, there are doubts that the Blaugrana really needs it and can force someone out of the starting lineup. At the same time, I have no doubt that Alexei is able to prove himself in Spain. Apart from “Real” and “Barcelona”, can play in any team.

- But how likely is Miranchuk to move from Lokomotiv to Barcelona?

- The Catalans can afford any player if they want. At one time, the transition of the Donetsk Shakhtar defender Dmitry Chigrinsky for € 25 million was executed. Let him not succeed there, but a year later he was given back for € 15 million.

- Is it also logical for Miranchuk to immediately think about moving to Barcelona, ​​or is it worth considering a transfer to a less status club first?

- They do not refuse such offers. Remember, at one time Igor Korneev played for Barcelona, ​​so there is nothing unrealistic about it.

- What determines whether Miranchuk will be able to open up in Barcelona?

- From whether he can adapt in the new team. But Alexey is now a great age for going abroad.

- Do not you think that in the case of a transfer to Barcelona Miranchuk will be immediately leased?

- I think he will remain in the team and will gradually get used to it. Who knows how events will develop further. Perhaps the leadership of the blue-garnet will decide to part with one of the athletes and a place will be made available for Alexei. Plus, in a few years we should expect Sergio Busquets to leave the sport. Yes, Miranchuk is a more attacking footballer, but the athlete is able to learn new things. The same Yuri Nikiforov acted as a central defender and striker.

- In your opinion, Miranchuk could act on the site of the central midfielder?

- He is technically equipped, he has a bright head. In addition, the higher the level of the team, the easier it is to progress in it.

- Recently, the former Zenit sports director Oreste Cinquini called Alexei Miranchuk a more powerful footballer than Alexander Golovin. Do you agree?

- I prefer to judge by achievements and results. At the moment, Alexander plays in the championship of France, superior to the championship of Russia, and looks great. Therefore, for me, Golovin is stronger than Miranchuk for me. In addition, in the Russian national team, Stanislav Cherchesov relies more on Alexander, which also says a lot.

- Is it connected with Golovin’s working capacity or Miranchuk’s inconsistency with Cherchesov’s tactical scheme?

- Golovin acts cleaner in the selection, performs more work on the field and physically surpasses Miranchuk.

- Can Golovin be called the backbone player of Monaco?

- One of. I would not say that he is playing a collective game. Solid footballer of the main team.

- Recently, the Director General of Monaco Oleg Petrov said that the club counts on Golovin and does not intend to let him go. The current difficult economic situation due to the coronavirus pandemic can make management change their minds and release Alexander?

- “Monaco” will sell Golovin at any time if he receives a favorable offer. This is a club development strategy.

- But is it worth Golovin himself to think about leaving, because playing for the middle peasant of League 1 is hardly what he was counting on?

- More recently, the midfielder extended the contract with the Monegasques on improved conditions. Currently, Golovin lives in a state with not the highest taxes. For the sake of this, many athletes sought to move to Monaco and even took dual citizenship. It should not be ruled out that in the future he will buy a house and stay there. It makes sense to think about leaving only if you receive a good offer.

“But the point is not only in comfortable living, but also in professional growth ...”

- I don’t understand why Monaco is bad. The French Championship is one of the five strongest championships on the continent. Neymar, Kilian Mbappe act in it.

- In 2018, not only Monaco, but also Chelsea were interested in Golovin's services. He was not mistaken in deciding to go to League 1?

- Since he succeeds there, then he did the right thing. As with the entire submarine, Chelsea has super competition. He certainly wouldn’t get there as much time as in Monaco. You can recall the example of Yuri Zhirkov, who had a hard time in London. But his level is beyond doubt - even now he looks better than many competitors in position. Yes, there is an example of Zinchenko, who successfully stands for Manchester City. But firstly, for this it is necessary to erect a monument to Pep Guardiola, and secondly, Alexander himself deserved everything with his hump.

- But also Golovin had an option with Juventus and the opportunity to work with Cristiano Ronaldo himself ...

- First of all, the football player needs to have practice, and not to watch someone from the outside. If he progresses, Chelsea and Juventus will not go far. The fact that at the end of the season many publications recognized him as one of the best players in League 1 only confirms his choice. Otherwise, he could sit on the bench or even go on lease. Recall Martin Edegor. A great athlete, head and shoulders stronger than all, many sang his praises to him. But he got to Real at age 16 and since then has only ridden to other clubs.

“Nevertheless, now he successfully stands for Real Sociedad and is preparing to return to the creamy camp ...

- Of course, but the years are running out.

- Also, much has been said recently about the possible move of Dziuba abroad. Is this a real interest in the striker or an attempt to knock out a more profitable contract with Zenit?

- Hard to tell. It should not be ruled out that Dziuba has already extended the contract with Zenit. It happens that an agreement has already been reached, but the parties specifically do not make official announcements so as not to disturb the people. In addition, he is an adult soccer player and roughly understands what conditions will be offered to him. From the fact that rumors will appear in the press about the interest in him of Juventus or Napoli, nothing will change. In any case, if Artyom really wanted to try his hand abroad, then this had to be done earlier. There he will not receive the same money as in St. Petersburg.

- Do not consider the option that Dziuba wants to play in Europe before leaving sports?

- If I wanted to, I did it before. When a person is set up, he takes it and does it at an early age. Like Golovin, for example.

“But Dziuba's peak career came in quite late ...”

- I do not think that he will be satisfied with the transfer anyhow. If there is an offer from a serious club, then a transition is likely. Otherwise, Dziuba will remain in Russia. He stands for a strong team, fans love him. When Alexander Mostovoy, Valery Karpin, Igor Dobrovolsky were leaving abroad, it was clear that they wanted to try themselves in Europe. And at the same time, they understood that they would be considered enemies of the people in the event of departure and would not be accepted back with open arms.

- According to Dziuba, is it not visible that he really wants to leave?

- No. For the same Roman Pavlyuchenko and Alexander Pogrebnyak, this was noticeable. And here a person is comfortable. Artyom is not torn anywhere.  

- What do you think, “Milan” may be interested in Dziuba, taking into account the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

- Firstly, let's not compare Ibrahimovic with Dziuba. Secondly, Italian football is not very suitable for Artyom. They play very hard there, nobody spares anyone, and local defenders are not in vain appreciated all over the world. In my opinion, he would be comfortable in Spain.

- Recently, the Scottish media advised the Rangers to acquire Juba. For the attacker, would moving to Scotland be an interesting career step?

“I don't think Artyom would go to Glasgow.” Not to him to play the bagpipes. In addition, Dziuba alone receives as half of the Rangers.

- In winter, Fyodor Smolov went to Europe, who transferred on loan to Celta. Do you think he should continue to move towards European championships or focus on performances in Russia?

- The coronavirus pandemic seriously confused the cards. It will all depend on how Smolov finishes the championship if La Liga decides to resume it. If everything goes well, then why not stay there for a while?

- Do not you think that his departure from Spain in the midst of a pandemic could adversely affect his prospects in Europe?

- I think this is mainly thought in Russia. Remember the adventures of Ronaldinho in night clubs, the way Ronaldo behaved in Barcelona. And the same Cristiano Ronaldo can take a plane and fly home if one of his relatives falls ill. If a football player brings results, then many offenses turn a blind eye.

“But Smolov is not Ronaldo ...”

- Yes, but there is another aspect. Having a Russian athlete in the team, the club can attract additional fans to the stadium. Not just that many teams invited athletes from Japan. Europe has long understood that football is a business.

- Recently there have been rumors that Valencia is ready to part with Denis Cheryshev. Don't you think that Denis will soon be waiting in the RPL?

- Cheryshev is already 29 years old. I will not be surprised at his move to Russia if he receives a generous offer from Zenit or Spartak.

- Given the increased invasiveness of Cheryshev, would you dare to arrange his transfer?

- If he successfully passed all the medical tests. Cheryshev is a good player.

- What do you think, who else from the Russian athletes can go to Europe?

- There are not many of them. I think these are the Miranchuk brothers, Daler Kuzyaev. The same Dmitry Barinov can try his luck in a foreign championship, for example, the German Bundesliga.

- A lot of talk about the future of Alexander Kokorin ...

- In my opinion, Kokorin is the strongest Russian striker. I would not be surprised if he was called to the same “Milan” or “Juventus”. He is physically strong, plays well with his head. In addition, over the past year has become smarter, has matured.

- In three rounds, Kokorin managed to convince you that he still remains a cool football player?

- Not only me, but also many experts, trainers. I talked with many representatives of the RPL teams, all unanimously declared that Kokorin was head and shoulders stronger than the others. Did not convince his performance except Cherchesova.

- How do you look at the possible departure of the Krasnodar midfielder Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov to Europe?

- Hard to tell. If I have no doubt in the success of Kokorin, then there are questions. Confused by its dimensions. Yes, he is technical, but the same Spain is enough. At the same time, he’s not sure that he will be able to play in Italy or Germany.

- In which country would Suleymanov be comfortable speaking?

- Where they preach open football. In the championship of the Netherlands, for example.