Column by Serhiy Tyshchenko. Chance for Ponomarenko

Matviy Ponomarenko's prospects in the first team of "Dynamo" look very uncertain at the moment. The main striker of the adult team is Vladyslav Vanat. He is one of the club's main assets. In summer, the Kyivans acquired Eduardo Guerrero from "Zorya". Matviy shares the position of the 3rd-4th forward along with Nazar Voloshyn (he can play as a striker if needed).

Last spring, when Guerrero was not yet on the team, Ponomarenko still did not have much trust despite his successful performance for the youth team. The second striker of the team was Vladyslav Supryaha.

It is hard to believe that Ponomarenko can transition from the youth team to the first team. He needs a gradual transition and trust. Right now, "Dynamo" is fighting for the much-desired championship, so any risks are undesirable. Losing points is not an option. For example, a loan to "Chornomorets" gave a lot to Vanat. Nazar Voloshyn significantly improved at "Kryvbas" over the past six months. Volodymyr Brazhko became a star of the championship at "Zorya".

It turns out that if Ponomarenko regains his condition, he will only be the third striker in the first team. In the best case, he will come on as a substitute at the end of the game.

Last season, the youth team of "Dynamo" brought the championship title back to Kyiv. Ponomarenko became the top scorer of the U-19 championship. The league itself significantly lost quality due to the disappearance of "Dnipro-1", the relegation of "Metalist-1925", and the creation of second teams for "Polissya", "Vorskla", and "Oleksandriya" (in "Rukh," a second team already existed). The championship has clearly rejuvenated. In such conditions, it will be difficult for Matviy to develop. New challenges are needed.

Ihor Kostiuk does not have problems with the number of forwards. Vladyslav Herich scored 10 goals. There is Vitaliy Lobko. Fedir Zadorozhnyi is playing on loan at "Zorya" (a forward nearly 2 meters tall), who, with 15 goals, is now the top scorer of the youth championship. If desired, he can be brought back in winter.

Now Yuriy Maksymov has taken over "Vorskla". Yuriy Vil'iovych knows how to work with young players. In his time, Denis Boyko and Mykola Morozyuk came through his school at "Obolon", giving them a boost in their adult careers.

Maksymov plays with two forwards. He needs the number of strikers. Ponomarenko can grow mentally with Maksymov. He needs to believe more in his own abilities, play at an adult level to gain such important experience for himself.

Ponomarenko and Maksymov are represented by the same company — FAMK Group. Maksym Karahodin works with both "Dynamo" and "Vorskla". He has players in both teams.

The time before Vanat is sold should be used to be as prepared as possible for the first team. Matviy will already be 19 years old at the beginning of the year. It is time to think about something more than youth football.

Serhiy TYSHCHENKO