In the interests of the national team: why Smolov, Kokorin and Cheryshev should continue their careers in the RPL

Last chance to go to Euro and high salaries

The nearest transfer window may turn out to be fatal for three players at once, included in the clip of the Russian national team: Fyodor Smolov, Alexander Kokorin and Denis Cheryshev. All three can change teams and even championships.

Smolov rented by Celta will return to Lokomotiv. Kokorin, who finished the season in Sochi, will end his contract with Zenit, and Cheryshev will probably have to work with the new head coach of Valencia - according to press reports, the club will announce the signing of a contract with Xavi Gracia in the nearest future.

At the same time, Alexander and Fedor, according to media reports, can continue their careers in Europe. Kokorin said that Italian clubs are interested in him, and Smolova allegedly intends to acquire Turkish Fenerbahce.  

However, this step can negatively affect the careers of both. First of all, their chances of playing at the European Championship in 2021 may decrease. Smolov's example showed that even the strongest Russian footballers are not guaranteed a place at the base of the teams of the average European level.

In this case, the risk may not be justified, and the lack of constant playing practice will lead to the loss of a place in the national team. The same applies to Cheryshev, who often remained on Valencia's bench in the season that ended.

At the same time, all three have already crossed the 29-year mark, which means that the upcoming Euro may well become the last in their careers for them. Kokorin has yet to prove that the national team needs him, and this can be done only by regularly appearing on the field.  

Their high salaries will also be an obstacle to the departure of the leading Russian footballers to Europe. Smolov agreed to a serious salary cut for the sake of being able to play in Example, but not many players are ready to do this.  

Moreover, in the near future, the financial situation in European football due to the coronavirus pandemic and the economic crisis will only get worse. This means that domestic players will more often give preference to the RPL.  

But this will also have its advantages. The departure of the strongest performers will weaken the already fallen league level. Smolov and Kokorin have not always played consistently in recent years, but their skill is not in doubt. And Cheryshev's arrival in Russia will only make the RPL stronger, which will also affect the performance of domestic clubs in European competitions.  

In addition, we must not forget about the introduction of a new limit for foreign players, according to which clubs will be able to add only eight foreigners to the application for the season. In such conditions, Russian grants will do everything to keep high-quality Russians. And the same Cheryshev may well help one of the teams to comply with the rules of the new limit.   

Interest in Kokorin in Spartak and a variant for Smolov and Cheryshev in St. Petersburg

Meanwhile, in Russia, Kokorin, Smolov and Cheryshev, for sure, will receive several options for cooperation proposals at once. Alexander is in the greatest demand, his contract with Zenit will expire at the end of July. Information about its extension has not yet appeared.  

But Kokorin, according to media reports, is interested in almost all Moscow clubs. Allegedly, Lokomotiv, in whose structure he spent eight years, has already talked with the striker. But the greatest resonance was caused by the news about the possible arrival of Alexander in "Spartak".  

At first glance, the leadership of the red and whites will not agree to pay Kokorin a considerable salary. It is reported that he intends to earn € 10 million in three years. In addition, the team already has three strong forwards, and in the spring bought the contract of Alexander Sobolev from Krylia Sovetov.  

On the other hand, the club will not have to pay any compensation for the ransom of a high-quality footballer. Alexander can make a strong duet of forwards with the namesake Sobolev, especially since the players are friends outside the field.  

Zenit can sign a new contract with Kokorin if Serdar Azmun leaves for Europe. This option will be preferable for the club, because Alexander will not need time to adapt. However, according to the well-known journalist Gennady Orlov, the striker would rather end up in Spartak than stay in Zenit. 

“He helped Sochi, pulled up the team, turned out to be important and useful. But what is his further fate is unknown. I think he may not return to Zenit. Because most likely Azmun and Dziuba remain, there is Malkom, besides, Kokorin wants a big contract.

Surely, he already has an offer from Spartak, perhaps he will be there. In the eyes of Zenit, Kokorin is an unpredictable person, this is what brings him down, he is not 100% professional, it's not only about football, but also about how he behaves outside the field. Will he go to Spartak? It all depends on him, ”Sport24 quotes Orlov as saying. 

If it is not possible to come to an agreement with Kokorin for one reason or another, Zenit may well make an offer to Smolov, especially since the Petersburgers were interested in the player before. And the cost of buying out a 30-year-old footballer whose contract with Lokomotiv ends in 2022 should not be too high.

Fedor's move to the northern capital will certainly please Cherchesov, because he will receive a strong duet for the national team in the person of Smolov and Dziuba.  

But the main point of Smolov is age. In February, the player will turn 31, which means that Zenit will have to look for a replacement not only for Dziuba, but also for him in a few years.  

According to media reports, Zenit has long been interested not only in Smolov, but also in Cheryshev. The footballer of the Russian national team, who has experience of playing in Europe and does not fall under the limit on foreign players, could not fail to interest one of the strongest clubs in the country.  

But Denis has always emphasized that he intends to spend the best years of his career in Europe. However, at the age of 29, the midfielder of the Russian national team may well accept a new challenge for himself and go to the Northern capital.  

Both the loss of a place in the main line-up of “Valencia” and the absence of his team in the European cups at the end of the season can push the player to such a step. With Zenit, he is guaranteed to play in the group stage of the Champions League.  

In addition, Sergei Semak can use him not only as a flanking midfielder, as in Spain, but also give him great powers on the field, as in the Russian national team. To some extent, a footballer who knows how to find free zones and has a powerful blow is able to replace Azmun.