Former Zenit Director Believes Zakharyan’s Move to Spain Was a Mistake

Igor Korneev, the former sports director of Zenit, has expressed his opinion that midfielder Arsen Zakharyan’s transfer to Real Sociedad was not the right decision for his career.

“There’s not much to say about Zakharyan. Practice shows that this was an incorrect choice in his career. He won’t play for Real Sociedad. Arsen is simply not prepared for such rhythm and workload. I can’t imagine a single club in Russia that would count on him now, as he’s constantly undergoing treatment,” Korneev stated.

The 20-year-old Russian player moved to Real Sociedad from Dynamo in the summer of 2023. During this period, he has participated in 40 matches across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Korneev’s comments highlight the challenges young players face when moving to more competitive leagues and emphasize the importance of careful career planning in professional football.