ROME – Krasnodar gold, for many, Mkhitaryan’s heir. The Inter player, 11 years older than him, had just given up on Armenia as his talent began to shine. Eduard Spertsyanborn in Russia, in Stavropol, on the border with Georgia: however, he chose the national team in honor of his parents’ origins, it took him a moment to become an idol. In 2022 he won the “Armenian Footballer of the Year” award. Grew up and exploded with the Krasnodar shirt, of which he is number 10 in every sense: the quality player, the all-round man with attacking midfield skills. His debut among the greats on 18 September 2020 at just 20 years old, he waited just one month longer for his debut in the Champions League (28 October) and the last minutes of the match against Chelsea (lost 4-0). It was from there an escalation in performance and numbers, twice in double figures in the last two Premier Leagues: 10 goals and 11 assists in the 2022-23 season, 11 and 7 in the season just concluded in second place, -1 behind Russian champions Zenit.
Lazio, Spertsyan’s idea: it reflects the identikit traced by Fabiani
Appreciation confirmed in Formello, it’s a profile that pleases, reflects the identikit traced by Fabiani: young, but already with international experience. Refined right foot, for movements – despite the different physique – can remember Milinkovic. Specialist in free kicks, be they corners, penalties or free kicks: 12 spot kicks in his career, another 5 from a standing start with a trajectory over the barrier. He has shown that he knows how to hit in all ways: with the head (even if he is not very tall, 178 cm), with the left foot, from distance or thanks to insertions. The defect? Sometimes laziness in defensive application, an aspect he will need to improve on should land in one of the top European championships.
Not just Lazio: there is plenty of competition for Krasnodar’s talent
In November he had been linked to Juventusit could be a typical Giuntoli shot. Even before that, it was Milan, with Maldini and Massara, who had given it some thought: there was talk of 12 million euros for his price tag, more or less the figure has remained the same. The list of teams that are interested is long: Atletico Madrid in Spain, Feyenoord and Ajax in Holland, Celtic in Scotland, it has even been written about City in England. News that never led to a transfer. His contract expires in 2026it could be the ideal time for a lunge.
