Former Dynamo coach Oleksandr Hatskevych did not like the performance of Portuguese left-back Vitorinho Antunes in the Ukrainian Super Cup match in Odesa. Antunes was dismissed, and Dinamo Zagreb left-back Josip Pivaric was invited to take his place. A year later, according to the projections of the club's then vice-president Yevhen Krasnikov, the Brazilian winger Sidclay was signed. The price of the deal was 5 million euros.
Despite these high-profile acquisitions, Sidcley and Pivaric did not make their mark in Kyiv during the football season. The Croatian underwent a lot of treatment, and the Brazilian lost the competition. Both left as free agents. In this position, the club's own Vitaliy Mykolenko proved to be a success, selling him for €23.5 million to English side Everton.
Vladyslav Vanat and Volodymyr Brazhko are Dynamo’s new stars. Photo by fcdynamo.comEverything is very similar in the Che Che-Shaparenko story. "Dynamo paid a lot of money for the Brazilian, who did not prove himself. At the time, the club had its own talented player for this position, who simply lacked confidence.
In the autumn of 2022, Dynamo decided to strengthen its squad because the start of the season was unsuccessful. In addition, Mykola Shaparenko suffered a knee injury. Kyiv signed two legionnaires - Justin Lonewake and Kahim Perris. Both left the team at the end of the season. None of them could prove themselves. When Viktor Tsygankov left in the winter, they brought back Nazar Voloshyn from the loan, who is now the main player in the first team in the position where Perris played. In the middle of the field, the then coach Mircea Lucescu did not give Volodymyr Brazhko and Oleksandr Yatsyk a chance. The former is now a player for the Ukrainian national team and a key player for Dynamo. The latter is one of the leaders of Zorya.
At that time, Dynamo was actively looking for a striker. Various candidates were close to moving to Kyiv. Thank God, no one came. The bet was made on Vladyslav Vanat, who is now the top scorer in the UPL. In addition, he is the club's asset for which you can get good money.
There were rumours all winter that Dynamo was looking for a central defender. Different candidates were named. Towards the end of the transfer window, a centre-back from Colombia was supposed to arrive. It's probably a good thing that no one came. 18-year-old Taras Mikhavko got his chance. Mistakes are not without consequences at this age, but the boy's potential is definitely huge. Having gained experience in adult football, Mikhavko will be able to improve his level.
Now we've also started talking about strengthening the attacking line. I really want some of the young players to fulfil their potential, and not to bring in problematic players of a not very high level. Vitalii Buyalskyi is over 30 years old. He can't always play. I hope that eventually Anton Tsarenko or Kyrylo Osypenko will fulfil their potential. Wingers Andrii Matkevych and Dmytro Kremchanin. Forward Matvii Ponomarenko has already scored his first goal in the UPL.
It may not be as easy to achieve results with young players, but success will not be any closer with secondary legionnaires. With our own youth, there is at least a prospect.
Another factor in strengthening the team is to say goodbye to players who can no longer progress further and cannot produce results or stability. People have been at the club for a long time, but their level is not growing, the club has no achievements. I see no point in naming names. For example, in the winter, Rukh showed the door to some legionnaires and old-timers - Oleksiy Dovhyi, Fabrizio Alvarenga, Edson, Marian Mysyk, Solomon-Otabor. These players were replaced by our own youngsters. The situation has not become worse. There are more prospects.
After failing to reach the Conference League, he was sold to Westerlo Serhii Sydorchuk was sold to Westerlo. They didn't look for a replacement because they had their own Brazhko. Who will remember the former Dynamo captain in terms of his game now? Serhii's position in the national team has become very shaky this season. Brazhko gave the club not only perspective and quality, but also investment. None of this would have happened if Sydorchuk had stayed.
Serhii Tyshchenko
