The prominent young Russian star from Spartak in recent years has made his way to Khimki, naturally passing through Zenit.
Do you recognize Zelimkhan Bakayev in this predicament? Zelimkhan returned from a business trip to the UAE with a trophy, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in Sergei Semak’s seasonal roster. The Petersburgers paved a new path for the Russian player—to the Moscow region, specifically Khimki. He is on loan until the end of the season. Is this what a career decline looks like?
Decline at Spartak
Covid has significantly impacted Bakayev. Zelimkhan lost his physical fitness due to numerous missed training sessions. The midfielder’s performance declined so drastically that he even lost his position to Kokorin. With Promes’s return, he was completely sidelined.
However, Zelimkhan did not give up. He focused on regaining his fitness. He improved his physique and rediscovered his dribbling skills. Under Vitoria, he scored a crucial winning goal for Legia in an important Europa League match. But such moments were rare. Bakayev could not keep up with the competition.
Poor performance, but financial gain
Bakayev faded into the background not only due to his declining performance but also because of his mentality. Zelimkhan became overly concerned about every setback, often leading him to disengage from the game. During training, he lowered his own expectations, prompting Vitoria to reprimand the young Spartak star.
The management of Spartak was not impressed with the midfielder’s form but still wanted to extend his contract. Due to financial difficulties at the time, they decided to offer Bakayev a more modest salary than before—but with a subsequent increase. This is where things became intriguing. According to reports, the player and his agent were not satisfied with this proposal and stood firm in their demands for more money.
The answer was clear—time to exit. What’s the point of overpaying a player’s salary if he isn’t performing?
In this case, the footballer chose to prioritize finances over compromise with management.
Sitting on the bench at Zenit
Zelimkhan fell victim to a situation where he is partly to blame. When Bakayev started experiencing a slump, he could have moved to Dynamo. The Muscovites offered five million euros for the once-promising star, but the red-and-whites demanded ten. At that time, the midfielder refused to make concessions to the club that developed him, resulting in his being relegated to the deep reserve. But here, the player himself shares the blame.
The press reported that Spartak offered a competitive salary over three seasons, ranging from 1.4 million euros to 1.8 million. Was that not sufficient?
From the outset, there was little to hope for at Zenit. Claudino and Malcom dominated in Zelimkhan’s positions. Bakayev himself likely understood that he had no chance in St. Petersburg, but finances were the deciding factor. Furthermore, the contract was long-term.
However, if you can’t make the team, why not request a loan to a smaller club or even a lower league? For example, Soltmurad Bakayev wasn’t afraid to take a step back last season and made a name for himself at Rodina in the First League. Now he’s thriving in the RPL, playing for the ambitious Akron.
But no. Zelimkhan followed his own path. He did not want to leave the comfortable environment and chose to remain at Zenit, fighting for a place in the first team. Yet this decision was pointless. Bakayev admitted that he was not prepared for intense competition and could not compete with players of such a high caliber.
Bakayev likely would have remained on the bench until the end of his contract if he hadn’t lost Semak’s trust when he insisted on a loan.
Unsuccessful stint in the UAE
Bakayev finally began making moves. He joined Al-Wahda, a respectable club by local standards. He won the UAE Cup with them. But did he make a significant contribution to the victory? No.
The Russian player only participated in five Cup matches, starting twice. In the victorious final, he played for fifteen minutes without scoring any goals.
In 19 PRO League matches, he scored just one goal and contributed three assists. In twelve games, he started from the first minute but completed the full match only six times. He also missed five games due to a muscle injury.
Bakayev needed to demonstrate why he shouldn’t have been benched, but he failed to stand out against his opponents in any way: neither in speed nor decision-making. His attempts often went unnoticed.
Bakayev admitted that the championship in the UAE is challenging. We agree. Playing continuously in hot weather is indeed a test. However, the level of the teams is undoubtedly lower than in the RPL. No one expected him to score a hundred goals and provide a hundred assists, but in a relatively weaker league, managing just one goal and three assists is disappointing. “Thanks” to the comfortable bench at Zenit…
Transfer to Khimki
Such performances could not please Zenit. Zelimkhan displayed a level in the UAE that is far from impressive.
Yet, even here, Zenit has not given up on trying to revive the midfielder’s career. They sent him on loan to Khimki. But even in Frank Artiga’s team, Zelimkhan is not a regular starter.
One hopes this isn’t the end of his career. Bakayev is 28 years old. Dzyuba revived his career at 30 in Tula and went on to play in the 2018 World Cup. Although Russia is not currently in the World Cup picture, Bakayev needs to recover. His performance against Paris NN was encouraging. He showed sharpness and even took a good shot on target.
But how much has Zelimkhan lost due to his focus on finances? He dealt a blow to his image by joining the camp of Spartak’s greatest rival. During this time, he has declined in all aspects. He has lost confidence. A valuable lesson for young players on how to avoid ruining their careers.
The main young Russian star of Spartak of the past years has reached a crossroads in his career, now playing at Khimki in the Moscow region after a stint with Zenit. Does this mark the sunset of his once-promising career? Let’s delve into the ups and downs of Zelimkhan Bakayev’s football journey.
Deflated at Spartak
Covid-19 seriously undermined Bakayev’s career trajectory. The pandemic led to numerous missed training sessions, severely impacting his physical fitness. Once a central figure in the midfield, Bakayev found himself struggling to maintain his place, even yielding to Kokorin. With the return of top players like Promes, he was largely benched.
Despite these challenges, Bakayev did not succumb to despair. Working diligently, he managed to regain some of his physical prowess and demonstrated glimpses of his once-vibrant skills. Under coach Vitoria, he scored a crucial winning goal for Legia in a Europa League matchup. However, these moments were few and far between, and ultimately Bakayev could not shoulder the high level of competition at Spartak.
Played Poorly, but Earned Well
Bakayev’s decline in performance was accompanied by a noticeable shift in his mindset. Dealing with pressure from the spotlight and the weight of expectations, he began to overthink every misstep. This mental burden often led him to dissociate from the game during training, prompting Vitoria to reprimand him for lowering his own standards.
While Spartak’s management recognized Bakayev’s talent, they also had concerns about his recent form. They sought to renew his contract, albeit under more modest financial terms than before. However, unlike many athletes who might consider a financial dip for the chance to regain form, Bakayev, influenced by his agent, opted to demand higher wages. Thus, the end was nigh for his relationship with Spartak.
Bench in Zenit
Bakayev soon found himself at Zenit, but the competition was fierce, with talented players like Claudino and Malcom occupying his preferred positions. It soon became evident that making the starting lineup would be a distant dream. While he may have sensed the situation’s gravity, financial incentives kept him tied to the club, where he remained largely ineligible for playtime.
Reports suggested that Spartak had proposed a sustainable salary increase to Bakayev, but he was unwilling to adjust his expectations. Consequently, he became a victim of his own unwillingness to compromise and endured an extended period on the bench.
Failure in the UAE
After a lackluster stint at Zenit, Bakayev went on loan to Al-Wahda in the UAE, where he won the UAE Cup. However, his contributions were minimal, playing only five matches and starting just two. In the final match, he spent just fifteen minutes on the pitch without scoring.
In 19 PRO League matches, his performance was barely adequate, with just one goal and three assists to his name. Additionally, Bakayev faced fitness challenges, missing five games due to muscle injuries. While he acknowledged that playing in the UAE posed unique challenges, it was also a sharp contrast to the competition level he faced in Russia, and his underperformance raised significant concerns.
Transfer to Khimki
Such performances did not sit well with Zenit’s management, leading to a loan transfer to Khimki. Even there, he has not secured a starting position under coach Frank Artiga. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope for Bakayev. At 28 years old, he still has time for a comeback.
An inspiring parallel is Artem Dzyuba, who revived his career at 30 and subsequently featured in the 2018 World Cup. While the Russian national team may not have a World Cup on the horizon now, Bakayev’s path is still not closed off. Notably, he showed signs of improvement in a recent match against Paris NN, demonstrating sharpness and a willingness to score.
Lessons Learned From Bakayev’s Journey
Bakayev’s career trajectory serves as a cautionary tale for young athletes on the importance of balance between financial aspirations and personal development. His choice to prioritize contract negotiations over gameplay opportunity resulted in a significant decline in career momentum.
Key Takeaways
- Career Resilience: Athletes like Bakayev illustrate how a mindset shift can impact performance. Continuous self-assessment and adaptability are crucial.
- Financial vs. Professional Growth: Choosing short-term financial gain over long-term career growth has consequences. Players must navigate these waters wisely.
- Importance of Competition: Staying in competitive environments is essential. Taking calculated risks, such as moving to a lower division, can foster development and renewed opportunities.
Bakayev may still have a chance to reclaim his reputation and reshape his future. The question remains: with the lessons learned from his experiences, will he seize this opportunity to rise once again in his football career?
