Former defender of the Ukrainian national team Bohdan Shershun told what he thinks about the transfer of Dynamo Kyiv defender Ilya Zabarny to English Bournemouth.
Bogdan Shershun- Bogdan, the transfer of Ilya Zabarny to the Premier League surprised many in the football world. And you?
- For Ilya, this is the right decision to move to the best league in the world. Let's not forget that there is a war going on in our country. In order for him to progress, he needs to play among the strongest players. In the spring and summer of 2022, there was no football in Ukraine. And in the fall, we saw that the leaders of Dynamo Tsygankov and Zabarny did not show their best football. Plus, Dynamo Kyiv received very good money from the sale of Ilya, they write that about 25-27 million euros. Perhaps this is a record for Dynamo, if we talk about finances.
- Aren't the level of the Bournemouth club embarrassing? The penultimate place this season, the most goals conceded, and the club has no special traditions of playing in the Premier League...
- I think that according to the terms of the contract, if Bournemouth leaves the elite division, they will be sold to another club. All the nuances, of course, I don't know. As for the current problems of Bournemouth, it is clear that they have a problem with the central defenders. 42 goals conceded after 20 rounds, that's a lot. The purchase of Zabarny is connected with this.
- Do you think, Zabarny, is the style of play suitable for the English Premier League?
- Yes, Ilya is a physically powerful player. He plays well with his head, I think he will be able to play in the Premier League. Plus, he will be able to progress. It will be interesting now to watch the game of Bournemouth.
- There are a lot of our Ukrainian football players in England now: Mykolenko, Zinchenko, Mudryk, Zabarny, Yarmolyuk. You don't know who to cheer for...
- I agree, but it's good. I know Yarmolyuk well from my work in the youth national team of Ukraine. Egor Yarmolyuk is currently playing for Brentford U-23. I know that he looks good in this team and scores a lot. In our team, he stands out and is the leader of the team. I think that Yegor will soon knock on the door to the main team of Brentford. In his style, he plays in the position of a drawn forward. Individually, he is very strong. For Yarmolyuk, beating one or two opponents is not a problem. And he can give the transmission for a feast for the eyes.
- Bogdan, let's move on to Dynamo Kyiv. Previously, Igor Surkis did not really want to sell his leaders, but in January Tsygankov and Zabarny left. What has changed for the president of Dynamo?
— The situation in the country. It is not clear how the championship of Ukraine will continue. Threats of new offensives from the fascists are constantly heard. All clubs live today. I think if there is a specific proposal, then the players should be sold. Let the guys play.
- Dynamo will become weaker? Will capital football players be able to compete for the Champions League?
- It will become harder for them, of course. But Dynamo has Sirota, Popov and Dyachuk were returned from Oleksandria. It is clear that they are all inferior to Zabarny in skill, but the three central defenders have every chance to prove themselves. Zabarny also grew gradually. Orphans, Popov and Dyachuk will have chances, we need to progress.
