In April 2023, the name of Timur Tuterov became a household name in Ukrainian football. By that time, the 17-year-old striker had moved from the youth team of Kolos to English Sunderland. After that he got into the Ukrainian national team of his age. In an interview with Sport.ua Tuterov spoke about his move to Foggy Albion, training with Dinamo Zagreb and playing for the Ukraine U-19 national team.
Timur Tuterov and Nazarius Rusin- You missed a lot of time in summer and autumn due to injury. How are you feeling now?
- Now everything is good. That's the most important thing. The recovery process lasted a month and a half. It's sad that I missed so much, because during the pre-season I gained good form.
- You have been at Sunderland since April 2023. Have you adapted during this time?
- Yes. It was difficult at first. Even with the language. Not because I didn't know it, but because of the accent. I had to get used to everything new. English football is radically different from ours. It took some time to adapt. Now there are no problems.
- What is your status at the club now?
- U-21 player. I am involved in training with the first team. I try to reach this level.
- "Sunderland" changed the coach not so long ago. Has it affected you in any way?
- I do not know yet. I haven`t had to work with Michael Beale yet. After the winter holidays we will see what will change.
- You moved to England from "Kolos". Did you have any doubts, because it is a very big change?
- I had some doubts, but my childhood dream to play in England outweighed any doubts. I knew the language well. I was more worried about the new team. The English and Ukrainians have different mentality and culture. But in practice it turned out not so terrible.
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- How were you received in the team?
- Very well. The guys are all friendly. They helped me a lot with the adaptation.
- What do you think of the city of Sunderland?
- Sunderland is a small, coastal, comfortable town. I'm a homebody. I don't go out much. So I can't tell you anything special about it.
- Do you communicate with any of your former teammates from "Kolos"?
- I stay in touch with many. I continue to communicate with the coaching staff of the youth team of "Kolos".
- In Ukraine know the academies of "Dynamo", "Shakhtar", "Metalist", "Dnipro", now "Rukh". What is the academy of "Kolos"?
- In "Kolos", as in any team, there are talented youngsters. I liked the coaching staff very much. Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pozdeev is a very good specialist. In terms of the tactical side of football, he opened a lot of things to me. I would also like to mention Vasily Koropetsky. I am very grateful to him, because he is like a mentor to me. He always helped me with advice and shared his experience. As life has shown, you can go higher from "Kolos".
In general, the club has created the right conditions for young players to progress and grow in their own skills.
- What do you say about the youth championship of England?
- Here the result is as important as in Ukraine. We play football to win. But youth development is a priority. It is not without reason that young players Chris Reague and Tommy Watson are already working with the first team.
- What is the difference between the training of players in Ukraine and England?
- It depends not on where you are, but who your coach is. Each coach has his own approach to the training process, there are peculiarities.
In general, it's different. The development of individual skills is more than in Ukraine. At home it is more tactical training. Here - more on the development of individual qualities.
- At the beginning of 2023 you were for some time in Dinamo Zagreb. The club from the Croatian capital is famous for its ability to develop young players. What are the peculiarities of the training process?
- All the exercises there are aimed at imitating game situations. But considering that it was right after coming out of the winter holiday, it was exercises on physics, playing football.
- In "Sunderland" there is another Ukrainian, Nazariy Rusin. How did your relationship develop?
- In Ukraine we knew each other only in absentia. Now we have a very good relationship with Nazik. I treat him like an older brother. He will give me tips, share his experience, it is nice to be with him.
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- You made your debut for the youth national team of Ukraine during the qualification for Euro U-19. What are your impressions of the youth team?
- It was one of my childhood dreams to represent my country. I was very happy that the coach had trust and understanding with the guys. I am very satisfied with the performance in Malta. We came out from the first place. I managed to show my level, scored a goal. So I have only good impressions.
- What impression did Oleg Kuznetsov, the coach of the team, make?
- Very well. There were no problems with the coach. He trusted me to play in all three games. I thank him for his trust. Also Yuriy Moroz, who helped in the training process.
- In Malta you played on the position of winger, although in "Kolos" you were a forward. What is your home position?
- During my career it changed - forward, left back, under the striker. I like all positions, I just want to play. I feel comfortable on each of them.
- At Sunderland they see you on what position?
- Forward. But sometimes they play on the wing.
- What were your impressions when you scored a goal in the first match for the national team against Malta?
- There was a sense of relief. What I have dreamed of for a long time has happened. The most important thing is that we won. Football is a team sport. Therefore, individual achievements are not so important compared to the overall result.
- In the second round Ukraine lost to Kosovo - 0:4. What happened in the match against Kosovars?
- The match against Kosovo was unfortunate. The first 15 minutes, until the first goal, we dominated the opponent, we had the ball. Then the opponent scored. The game changed. After the break we started to dominate again, to create chances, we just could not score. Then another counterattack, and after that we started to score. The match was a failure in terms of the score, but not in terms of the game. There were great chances. We were just unlucky. We had chances, but did not score. The opponent realised all their chances.
- How were you received in the national team?
- All right. I left a good impression. I knew someone, met someone. Good guys.
- Did the wind and artificial pitch somehow affect the game?
- The pitch should not be too judgemental. It was not of a high level, but you can play. We achieved the result we planned. And the rest is not so important.
- In the last round Ukraine left no chance to Slovakia. Were you especially tuned in?
- The main motivation is that we represent our country and we need to get out of the group. These two components motivated us most of all. Playing for the national team gives a slightly different experience when you go on the pitch, listen to the anthem. Therefore, there can be no a priori indifference.
- Elite round draw - Switzerland, Latvia, North Macedonia. Can Ukraine go to the Euros?
- Yes. We need to tune up for each match and play to the maximum of our abilities. Everything is in our hands. But this is football, everything can happen. If we take the match with Kosovo, no one was expecting it, but it happened. God willing, everyone will come in good shape in March.
- Matvei Ponomarenko is the top scorer of the youth championship of Ukraine. In 16 matches he scored 16 goals. Are you not afraid of competition with the striker of Dynamo youth team?
- No. The strongest will play. If necessary, I can play on the flank. I am only glad that the Ukrainian national team has such a strong striker. His progress only helps the national team.
- Do the club ask you about the war in Ukraine?
- Of course, there is interest. Everyone is worried. I hope that it will be over as soon as possible. The English sympathise with Ukraine.
- Are you a Crimean Tatar?
- Yes.
- How popular is football among Crimean Tatars?
- It is popular among all nations now. Perhaps there are not so many professional football players among Crimean Tatars, but they play and watch matches.
- Is your brother also involved in football?
- Yes. He plays for "Kolos" academy. Akim plays at the position of centre midfielder. He can play as an attacking midfielder, as well as a centre-back. Among his strong qualities - he sees the field well and is technical for his age.
- Who did you look up to as a kid?
- There was not one footballer I would sympathise with. My own development in football changed my favourites. At first it was Lionel Messi and Josep Guardiola at the time of Barcelona. With my father watched all the matches of the Catalans. When Pep moved to Bayern, I started to root for the Munich players, because I really liked Pep. Then the sympathy with Guardiola moved to the side of Manchester City. The Spanish coach continues to be a favourite for me.
Strangely enough, after Messi I admired Cristiano Ronaldo. I realise that such a change of liking can look contradictory. Then followed a liking for Kevin De Bruyne.
Now my favourite player is Brazil's Ronaldo. Although I can only see his matches on tape. We play in the same position. I like the Brazilian's quickness, technique and goal sense. Not without reason he was called a phenomenon.
Sergey TISHCHENKO
