Defender Valerii Luchkevych, who played last season with Kolos and Dynamo, talked about the end of his collaboration with the Ukrainian champion.
Valerii Luchkevych. Photo — O. Popov— Valerii, first of all, how is your health and well-being?
— Everything is good, thank you. (Smiles). I’m currently keeping fit with coach Oleksiy Dovhyi.
— Your time at Dynamo was short-lived. How do you remember this period of your career?
— Very warm, even though I spent little time with the team, but it’s expected because I had little playing time to express myself and show myself on the field.
— Could the injury you received after signing the contract have hindered you from establishing a better reputation?
— I don’t think the injury hindered this because I missed only two weeks, which coincided with the break for national teams. I just wanted to show my best side from the first days, but the transition from artificial to natural turf plus the workload at Dynamo took their toll. I understand that this is somewhat an excuse, but it happened. Such things happen in life.
— The significance of this championship is hard to overestimate for the young players at Dynamo, most of whom have not won titles?
— I think the significance of this championship will go down in history because the third star has been earned. It is important not only for the youth but for the whole club.
— In your opinion, which players from Dynamo have outgrown the UPL and are ready to take the next step?
— Dynamo has very talented and hardworking footballers, both experienced and young. I don’t want to single anyone out, but I will say that the young players definitely wouldn’t be lost in Europe. I like their mentality now. They understand that they need to develop not only physically but also spiritually and intellectually, which they are doing.
— Currently, you are without a club. Have offers come your way during your vacation?
— We are currently negotiating with some clubs with my agent.
— Your former club, Kolos, has set a trend for returns. Buryda has returned to the starting lineup after being written off, and the team is led by Kostiushin for a second time. Were you not offered to return to Kovalivka?
— Yes, I know about that. I am very happy for Kolos that they finally got out of a streak of failures, and I am confident that this season the team will show a really good level. Because under the leadership of Ruslan Volodymyrovych Kostiushin, it can’t be any other way. I personally have not heard any offers, but I do not rule out that such a thing is possible.
— At 29, how do you feel and what future direction do you see for your career development?
— This is the age when you’re experienced, understand yourself and your weaknesses and strengths, can spend more time on football because a formed family is behind you, supporting you.
Oleksandr Karpenko
