Russia’s Seven Best Winter Signings

Jonathan Mensah
FROM Evian
TO Anzhi Makhachkala

It was no surprise to see Anzhi sign a central-defender in the winter window. After all, they do have the worse defence in the league.

What is surprising is the calibre of player they have signed in Jonathan Mensah - not to be mistaken for John Mensah.

Experience is what Anzhi need and that is what they have got in Mensah. 36 caps for Ghana includes appearances at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup. He also played every minute of the Black Star’s 2015 African Cup of Nations campaign, where they were runners-up.

Depending on how well Mensah settles into Russian life, the Ghanaian could be the saviour Anzhi needs - at both ends of the pitch. But more at the back…

Roman Shirokov
FROM Spartak Moscow
TO CSKA Moscow

It was 16 years ago Shirokov was turning out for CSKA reserves. Having never made an appearances for the first team, he would go onto play for Rubin Kazan, Zenit, Krasnodar and Spartak Moscow.

But there is something very romantic about this transfer. Coming from fierce rivals Spartak, having played for Zenit for six years, on paper, this transfer shouldn’t go down well with the fans.

With manager Leonid Slutsky though, you get a sense that his age won’t matter, nor will his past clubs. On his competitive debut against Ural in the cup, Shirokov expressed his technical skills like he was back in his prime, fresh out of the packet.

He may not be the striker CSKA need, but when Shirokov is loved and adore, he is still arguably the best Russian midfielder around. With Slutsky as his coach, and Russia’s place in France on the horizon, Shirokov will be motivated to be in that 23-man squad and give his coach a headache.

Gianni Bruno
FROM Evian (on loan)
TO Krylya Sovetov Samara

An impressive start to life back in the top flight made Krylya one of the most exciting teams to watch in the division - untill the end of September anyway.

One win in their last 10 left them tantalising above the relegation zone and going into the winter break, they were three points above 13th. I doubt manager Frank Vercauteren has been able to think straight this winter.

It wasn’t no surprise to see them acquire a forward - after all, eight blanks in 10 games isn’t going to keep you in the division.

Bruno started out at Lille’s academy, and though that not sound spectacular, he was given his first appearance by Rudi Garcia - the manager who gave Eden Hazard and Dimitri Payet their first chances. You don’t need me to tell you how well those two are doing nowadays…

Though Bruno hasn’t gone onto be the player those two are today, he has been a prominent player for Belgium’s youth side. Without Vercauteren as coach, this signing wouldn’t have been possible.

He isn’t going into an easy situation, but playing under a fellow Belgium, on the otherside of the continent, as weird as it may sound, may allow the striker to relax and re-discover his potential again.

Felipe Santana
FROM Schalke 04
TO Kuban Krasnodar

I’m going to be completely honest - this is a weird transfer.

Santana is not a name I will have to describe to you. I’m sure you’re all familiar with his name from his time at Dortmund and their local rivals which he joined from - Schalke.

Why would he join Kuban? No idea why. For a club who is fighting relegation and have had recent financial problems involving late payments to all the members of staff, nothing adds up.

Having previously been likened to Lucio and Naldo, this could be the signing of the window. His wealth of experience is bound to help Kuban fight the relegation drop and though he may not bring goals, he is certainly going to help stop shipping them in.

Aleksandr Kokorin
FROM Dinamo Moscow
TO Zenit Saint Petersburg

After rumours circled in the summer, it’s been evident that Kokorin was never going to renew with Dinamo. Probably less evident that he would sign with Zenit, but plenty of people still imagined him staying in Russia.

Though many will be disappointed with Kokorin’s lack of ambition to go abroad, that’s hardly going to bother Zenit who will most likely be rubbing their hands with glee.

At 24, Kokorin still has a lot to give. Zenit can boast they now arguably have the nation’s top two strikers in Dyzuba and Kokorin.

Though his progression may have slowed down in recent years, his potential is still there for all to see. The next six months shouldn’t be judged fiercely - but the glory Zenit have in years to come, will have him at the forefront.

Mauricio
FROM Terek Grozny
TO Zenit Saint Petersburg

I wanted to avoid featuring two transfer going to the same team. And, had I written this two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have.

Though Mauricio’s impressive start to life in Petersburg has made it difficult not to feature him.

His transfer was greeted with the odd grumble and he was expected to be no more than a squad player. His eligibility for Russia was rumoured to a big factor in this deal.

The Brazilian’s career for Zenit couldn’t have got off to a better start when he curled in a scrumptious free-kick against Kuban in the Russian Cup.

Since then, he has looked unfazed, as if he has been playing for Zenit for years. He impressed in his club’s Champions League second-leg against Benfica and has featured in all of his sides games since joining - bar one.

Though his contract is only until next summer, Mauricio won’t find any problem in having it extended if he carries on his fine form.

Denis Tkachuk
FROM Zenit Saint Petersburg
TO Rubin Kazan

“Though they hold the biggest club in Russia for 90 minutes, an extra time hat trick is the difference between these two sides in the Russian Cup match.” It wasn’t one of Zenit’s big money signings who inflicted the damage. But instead, Denis Tkachuk.

Nothing ever came of his special occasion for the Russian. His development was hampered by substitute appearances at Zenit and he left the club in pursuit of more regular playing time.

There is no doubting the ability of player acquired by Rubin Kazan in this transfer. Tkachuk got his Rubin career off to the best possible start after scoring on his home debut and giving the Kazan team the win.

His skills, talent and technique was there for all to see at Zenit. Though he is 26, there is evidence he will be a late bloomer. Though I wouldn’t say Rubin are in a relegation dog-fight, their position in Russia’s premier division is far from safe. With Tkachuk on-board, they’re attacking threat is boosted and as a result, should see more points on the board.