russia football

the best football players -Russia

50. Ilya Maksimov, midfielder, Anzhi
Despite the fact that Ilya Maksimov turns 29 in February, some people still consider him a young and promising player. Maksimov played 13 games for Zenit, six of these during the 2007 season when the club won its first Russian championship. Since then he has represented eight different Premier League and FNL clubs, and now it finally seems like he has found the right team. Maksimov, who has scored against Zenit, CSKA and Dinamo, is perhaps the brightest player in Makhachkala. Anzhi are fighting to avoid relegation and may return to the FNL, but Maksimov, given his good season and Russian citizenship, is likely to stay in the top flight.

49. Maciej Rybus, midfielder, TerekRybus first appeared on the Russian football radar one year before he moved to Terek. The Polish midfielder scored a beautiful goal against Spartak Moscow in 2011, which helped Legia Warszawa knock Spartak out of the Europa League. This performance clearly caught the attention of the Russians, as three Legia players later moved to the RPL. During Rybus’ time in Russia, he has often been linked with bigger clubs, and this season has been no exception. The rumours only intensified after the winger scored twice against Zenit. Rybus’ contract runs out after this season, and according to Terek’s vice-president the winger will leave the club after the season.

48. Pablo Fontanello, defender, UralOnly one team has conceded more goals than Ural this season, so why is their central defender on the list?  In fact, Fontanello is probably the most underrated player on our entire Top 50 list. His WhoScored rating is 7.56, which is the fourth best in the league. Last season he came third with 7.57. Furthermore, according to InStat he makes 12 interceptions per game, which is the most in the league, while he also wins 75% of his tackles. The reason he is still with Ural is his age. Fontanello turns 32 later this year, but he used to be considered a promising defender. In 2009, Italian side Parma paid €4 million for him, but it is only now that Fontanello is playing the best football of his life.

47. Oleg Ivanov, midfielder, TerekIvanov was a part of the Russia Euro 2008 squad, but had to wait until June 2015 before he finally got his debut on the national team.  Ivanov has been playing well since his move to Terek in 2012. He quickly established himself as a leader on the Grozny side, so it came as no surprise that there are constant rumours about him transferring to one of the nation’s biggest clubs. Ivanov was heavily linked with Spartak, where he grew up, before this season, and they probably want him even more now, as Ivanov has already made eight assists in his first 17 games. This is the second most in the league. According to InStat, Ivanov also tops the league in the number of so-called extra-attacking and key passes.

46. Vladislav Ignatyev, midfielder, KubanIgnatyev is another one in the line of Russian talents who had to move to a provincial club to become a big fish in a little pond to reach his full potential. He spent two years with Lokomotiv without it ever being a success. Ignatyev then moved to FC Krasnodar, but he had to move to the southern part of the city to local rivals Kuban Krasnodar before finally showing his best on a regular basis. This season Ignatyev has scored six goals, made three assists, and was called up to the national team, where he played his first two games in the November friendlies. As a result, his former club Lokomotiv are now interested in him again and he is likely to move back to the capital during the winter transfer window.

45. Gökdeniz Karadeniz, midfielder, RubinKaradeniz moved to Russia in 2008 when he joined Rubin. He was an immediate success, and he made a big contribution to the club’s consecutive league titles in 2008 and 2009. The most memorable moment of his career was his winning goal against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2009. Despite his age, Karadeniz likes to dribble (11 dribbles per game, 65% of these successful), and he still has a good top speed, which forces the opponents to always keep an eye on the experienced Turk when they face Rubin.

44. Ivelin Popov, midfielder, Spartak
Popov is one of the brightest talents in the league, and before the season, he finally joined Spartak. Despite the economic crisis and the need for players with Russian passport, the Red-Whites paid €6 million for the Bulgarian’s services. However, Popov didn’t show his best during the first part of the season, as Shirokov, who plays in a similar role, often stood before him in the pecking order. Now, Shirokov seems to be leaving the club soon, and Popov can finally show why Spartak made him the most expensive signing by a Russian club last summer. The Bulgarian international definitely has the potential to be in our Top 10 next year.

43. Dmitriy Poloz, midfielder, RostovAlong with Aleksandr Kokorin, Dmitriy Poloz was considered one of the most talented players born in 1991 from the Lokomotiv Academy. However, he never managed to play an official first team game for the Railroaders, and in 2012, he moved south to FC Rostov. Here, he has turned into one of the most important players on the roster, and this season his club has been one of the big surprises in the league, currently sitting second with just three points fewer than CSKA in first place. Poloz has contributed with six goals, and if he continues to play like this, he could take part in the 2018 World Cup.

42. Alan Kasaev, midfielder, LokomotivKasaev looks like a light version of Andrey Arshavin, but the term light, can in this sense only be used in a figurative sense. Kasaev is one of the most unpredictable players in the league. When he has the ball, he usually picks between three options: crossing, shooting or dribbling past defenders, and nobody knows what to expect from him in the next second. Unfortunately, his form is also unpredictable, which is why he isn’t further up this list and hasn’t even become a key player for Lokomotiv. He is yet to represent the Russian national team, but considering his qualities, he could be a valuable backup player.

41. Denis Glushakov, midfielder, SpartakIf you are asked to name a Russian box-to-box midfielder, Denis Glushakov will be a perfect choice. He is probably the only top level Russian playing in this role. According to InStat, Glushakov is one of the league leaders in both accurate passes and tackles. Glushakov grew up in Lokomotiv, but moved to Spartak in the pursuit of trophies. Since then Lokomotiv have won bronze medals and the Russian Cup, while Glushakov has won his place in the Russia squad, though he is not a regular starter. Glushakov has been rumoured to leave Spartak soon, as Dmitri Alenichev wants to make his mark on the Red-Whites.

40. Ari, forward, KrasnodarSpartak bought Ari in 2010. The player scored several important goals for Spartak before moving to Krasnodar in 2014, when he got the contract he wanted. Ari plays a key role in the team, scoring nine goals and making six assist last season, and making six goals and three assists so far this season. He is probably the most creative player in the squad, so the fans are not happy that he still hasn’t signed a new contract and is linked with Chinese clubs. Especially given the fact that he can become a Russian citizen in the near future.

 39. Aleksandr Samedov, midfielder, LokomotivSamedov, a Muscovite with Azerbaijani roots, is known for playing only for the Moscow teams: Spartak, FC Moscow, Dynamo and Lokomotiv (twice). He is also known for his crossing skill, which helped him to become the top assist maker of the 2011/12 season. In recent years, Lokomotiv fans have criticized Samedov for being slow and making poor decisions, but they are definitely satisfied with his current form. He has scored five goals in the Premier League and four goals in the Europa League this season. He is also good at creating chances: InStat stats show that Samedov makes 71% successful extra-attacking and key passes. No players with the same amount of passes have scored higher than 60 %.

38. Sergey Ignashevich, defender, CSKAThe oldest player in the list. Playing for Lokomotiv and CSKA, he has won five league titles, seven Russian Cups and the UEFA Cup. He has recorded 114 caps for the national team, and at 36 he is still considered a pivotal player for both Sbornaya and CSKA. He is however losing speed, making more mistakes, and his top level is getting lower and lower, which often makes him look stupid in the big Champions League games. Despite all this, he is still a key player for the top Russian team, and don’t be surprised to see him on the pitch for Russia in 2018… or even 2022.

37. Vitaly Denisov, defender, LokomotivDenisov joined the club in 2013 as a replacement for Andrey Eshchenko, and he quickly established himself as one of the best full-backs in the league. He was a key component of the club’s success in 2014, when the team finished 3rd. He is a good crosser, but his defensive skills are even more important for the team: he is one of the league leaders in challenges, recovered balls, interceptions and picking up free balls. Because of the limit on foreign players, full-backs in the Premier League are usually Russians, so the fact that Uzbek international Denisov plays instead of solid Russians Yanbaev and Logashov says a lot about his level.

36.Cesar Navas, defender, RostovSpending most of his career in Spain, Navas decided to move to Russia in 2009, when he joined Kurban Berdyev’s Rubin. There, he became the champion the same year. He played 164 games for Rubin, which is more than he played for the rest of his teams combined. This summer Cesar Navas once again joined his favourite coach Berdyev, this time at Rostov, where he has played a key role in the league’s best defence (16 goals conceded in 18 games). He turns 36 this February, but will no doubt play at least a couple of years more at the highest level.

35. Vasiliy Berezutskiy, defender, CSKAAt the age of 33, Vasiliy Berezutskiy exudes old-pro calmness and confidence on the pitch. The former national side captain has been an extremely important figure in the CSKA defence for over a decade, being named one of the 33 best players in the league an extremely creditable nine times. The Moscow-born man sits atop the RPL table with theArmy Men despite recent poor results. With the side now out of European competition, and Berezutskiy returning from a thigh injury after the winter break, the veteran will be looking for a big end to the season in preparation for Euro 2016, which could be his last major international tournament.

34. Christian Noboa, midfielder, RostovWhen Noboa was re-united with his former boss from his Rubin Kazan days, Kurban Berdyev at Rostov, there was always an inkling that Rostov’s fortunes could change. A magnificent, dynamic midfielder, the Ecuador international quickly re-affirmed his position as one of the RPLs most underrated players with a string on assured performances, shoring up a formerly shaky Rostov midfield.

He announced his return to Russia with a thunderous 30-yard strike to secure 3 points against Amkar, and hasn’t looked back since, not once leaving the first team after Rostov’s initial troubles getting him registered.

33. Solomon Kverkvelia, defender, RubinThe towering Georgian centre half put himself on the minds of several football fans around Europe this year, with a whole host of impressive performances for both club and country. In Georgia’s European qualifying campaign, he put in dominating performances against Germany, Ireland and Scotland, which caught the attention of many European scouts.

For his club side Rubin, he was outstanding over two games against Liverpool, particularly at Anfield, where he and teammate Ruslan Kambolov seemed to block or intercept every single shot that Liverpool could fire off, despite David James expecting a 5-0 thrashing for the home side.

32. Oleg Kuzmin, defender, RubinRubin’s veteran right back and captain continues to amaze football fans all over Russia. After helping Rubin to a fifth placed league finish last season, the ever running Kuzmin received a call up to the national team, a chance to make his debut aged 34. After Zenit full back Smolnikov picked up an injury, he got his chance, and boy did he take it, scoring a magnificent first time volley against Montenegro to seal Russia’s place at the Euro 2016 Championships in France.

Although he didn’t cover himself with glory with a silly sending off at Anfield in the Europa League, the 34 year old is still a valuable player and has rescued Rubin on more than one occasion this year.

31. Gerson Acevedo, midfielder, UralOf all the players on our list, Acevedo’s inclusion might be the most surprising to football fans not familiar with the league. Ural’s Chilean playmaker is in his second spell with the club, having first joined in 2010 with a brief stint at Mordovia in between. Acevedo now however, is in the form of his life, with five goals and four assists from central midfield, including game winning goals against Spartak Moscow and Ufa, not to mention a world-class free kick in an unfortunate 3-2 defeat to CSKA Moscow.

After almost leaving the club when they scraped survival against Tom Tomsk in the relegation play off, Acevedo will be pleased at his decision to say something, which may have changed his long term career immensely.

30. Magomed Ozdoev, midfielder, RubinAnother Rubin player comes in at number 30, and that is tenacious midfielder Ozdoev. After faltering at Lokomotiv Moscow, Rubin gave him a second chance with his career, and he has taken that with both hands. After a fine 2014/15 season, he has cemented his place in the Rubin first team with a string of impressive performances and fantastic goals.

This form saw him return to the Russian national team, and while he and the Rubin side experienced a tough start to the season, he was able to shine on the European stage, enough to catch the eye of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. With excellent physical capabilities, he could cope in one of the big leagues, but it remains to be seen if he has the ability.

29. Aleksei Ionov, midfielder, DinamoOften touted as the best right-sided midfielder holding a Russian passport, Aleksei Ionov has proved indispensable for Dynamo Moscow with some brilliant and versatile displays. This season has seen Ionov play in every position across the White-Blues’ front line and most importantly as cover for the injured Aleksandr Kokorin in the centre forward role. However, when his Dynamo teammate isn’t on the treatment table, Ionov has been equally adept at finding Kokorin with his pinpoint crossing from the flank. Instability has somewhat hampered his international career, otherwise Ionov would be a regular starter for Sbornaya.

28. Elmir Nabiullin, defender, Rubin20-year-old Rubin Kazan left back Nabiullin is the youngest player on our list. After bursting onto the scene as an 18 year old in 2014, the youngster has had a meteoric rise, becoming a first team regular for Rubin, as well as making his debut for the national team.

Blessed with lots of pace and with a calm head, this shy youngster is capable at both ends of the pitch, causing trouble for opposition defences, as well as being very astute at defensive tasks himself. Nabiullin has recently been linked with Southampton, and 2016 could be a big year for the skilled defender.

27. Roman Shirokov, midfielder, SpartakMoscow Oblast-born Shirokov is certainly not short of charisma. The Spartak player and current Sbornaya captain’s reputation for being sharp-tongued and unceremonious is only outshone by his unparalleled effort and influence on the pitch that has made him a talisman for both club and country. Shirokov rejoined the Red-Whites at the start of this season after a period on loan at Krasnodar and so far this season has the joint-most assists of any player with three. He was also an integral part of Russia’s victorious Euro 2016 qualifying campaign of which he played seven games.

26. Lorenzo Melgarejo, forward, KubanKuban’s Paraguayan forward as been a shining light in a very dark spell for the Krasnodar side. After a relatively ineffective 2014/15 season, Melgarejo has finally hit a run of form in the current season, and his eight goals mean he is the joint second placed scorer in the league, alongside Hulk, Artyom Dzyuba and Oumar Baye Niasse.

Without those eight goals, 1/3 of Kuban’s total goals scored, their predicament would look even worse than it already is, sitting 2nd bottom in the league. Melgarejo has been a vital cog, operating anywhere in attacking midfield or up front, and if he can add more spectacular goals to his tally, then he’ll surely attract suitors in Europe.

25. Aleksandr Kokorin, forward, DinamoIt’s almost difficult to spot Aleksandr Kokorin’s frequently discussed potential with the media furore that sometimes swarms him. Then again, it is becoming all too few that Kokorin performs to the level that potential dictates. Nevertheless, Russia’s prodigal playmaker makes the list due to his sheer flair and creativity. A flashy and fearless forward player, the 24-year-old has courted attention from the Premier League and was twice reportedly a target for Arsenal. Internationally, Kokorin netted three goals for Sbornaya in the Euro 2016 qualifying stage, and has four club goals this season. Kokorin has struggled with injuries this season, and has only played eight RPL matches so far. Many expect big things this season from the man on whose back the tag of ‘Russia’s next great hope’ rests.

24. Vedran Corluka, defender, LokomotivAnother former City player plying his trade in Russia, Corluka has built a reputation as a magisterially gifted defender in the Lokomotiv back line since his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur three years ago. His skill on the ball and reading of the game belie his 29 years and has also seen him named Loko captain since. The Croatian – who is a regular in his national side – was part of the Lokomotiv team that ended an eight-year trophy drought in the Russian Cup final win over Krasnodar last season, the year in which he also became the supporters’ player of the year, solidifying his place as a favourite of the fans of the Railroaders.

23. Javi Garcia, midfielder, ZenitSeemingly entering his peak years at 28, Javi Garcia has been a rock for Zenit St. Petersburg in his one and a half seasons in the RPL since joining from English Premier League giants Manchester City for £13m in 2014. The Spaniard’s pedigree is unquestionable. A graduate of ‘La Fabrica’ – Real Madrid’s revered youth setup – he has seven major honours across four different countries to his name, including three league titles with Benfica, Manchester City and the 2014-15 Russian Premier League with Zenit. Aerially dominant and always threatening when involved in attacking set pieces, his 2015 also included a Russian Super Cup winners’ medal.

22. Aleksandr Erokhin, forward, UralFC Ural’s talismanic forward has had quite the year. After helping Ural survive the 2014/15 season with six crucial goals and getting his first call up to Russian national team, Erokhin has begun the 2015/16 season at lightning pace, scoring four and assisting five in his first 12 appearances before picking up an injury. His early purple patch lead to him being scouted by clubs all across Europe, with Sporting Lisbon rumoured to have had a bid rebuffed.

Tall and rangey, with great awareness, the versatile 26 year old is now hot property. With a Russian passport and his contract expiring in summer 2016, any Russian side would be foolish not to have Erokhin on their radar.

21. Pavel Mamaev, midfielder, KrasnodarKrasnodar are one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League to watch, and Mamaev is one key member of their attacking prominence. Able to operate on either wing or in central areas, Mamaev is starting to fulfil the promise he first showed at CSKA.

Along with Smolov and Ari, Mamaev is part of a devastating attacking trio and this season he has scored 14 times from midfield in all competitions, including goals home and away against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League as he helped Krasnodar to qualify top from their group.

Team	MP	W	D	L	F	A	G	P
1	CSKA Moskva	18	11	4	3	29	18	+11	37
2	Rostov	18	10	4	4	23	16	+7	34
3	Lokomotiv Moskva	18	9	5	4	30	23	+7	32
4	Spartak Moskva	18	9	3	6	26	23	+3	30
5	Krasnodar	18	8	6	4	29	19	+10	30
6	Zenit	18	8	6	4	34	23	+11	30
7	Terek Grozny	18	6	10	2	25	17	+8	28
8	Ural	18	7	5	6	28	28	+0	26
9	Rubin Kazan'	18	6	2	10	20	25	-5	20
10	Amkar Perm'	18	5	5	8	16	22	-6	20
11	Dinamo Moskva	18	4	8	6	20	25	-5	20
12	Krylya Sovetov	18	5	4	9	12	20	-8	19
13	Ufa	18	3	7	8	16	28	-12	16
14	Anzhi	18	3	6	9	18	31	-13	15
15	Kuban' Krasnodar	18	2	9	7	25	28	-3	15
16	Mordovia Saransk	18	2	8	8	19	24	-5	14