Former midfielder of Kyiv’s Dynamo Artem Yashkin shared his thoughts on the prospects of the Ukrainian legionnaire of Spanish "Girona" Viktor Tsygankov.
— Artem, it seems that many European clubs want to have Tsygankov, according to the press. What is your opinion on this matter?
— In my opinion, the Spanish championship suits Viktor more than any other.
— In transfer matters, it doesn’t always depend on the player.
— The last I heard was "Trabzonspor." If we think globally, it is not a bad option. The Turkish Super League is a good championship in its own right.
— But it’s lower than La Liga.
— I agree. But financially, the player might benefit.
— At 27, is it perhaps too early to think about financial well-being?
— But he is not going to Saudi Arabia. It is still uncertain what will happen in "Girona". The last season showed that the team is faltering. Perhaps they are facing a crisis; the rumors are not without basis. After all, we don’t know, maybe Tsygankov himself wants to leave for another team.
— Tsygankov has spent two and a half seasons at "Girona". Initially, there was adaptation, the 2023/24 season was great, but the past year was not as bright as expected. Why?
— In the summer of 2024, the Spanish team lost its leaders. In particular, Savinho went to "Manchester City", Artem Dovbik went to "Roma". "Girona" ended up with a weakened squad, while expectations remained the same. In reality, a failure was to be expected. It’s a small club that cannot constantly compete with the giants.
— In Spanish La Liga, the three pillars are "Real", "Barcelona", and "Atletico". Is there any sense in changing teams in Spain if it’s not one of these three?
— Perhaps the management of "Girona" has some of its own goals. If the project is coming to an end, then, of course, one should think about leaving. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be the teams you mentioned. There are quite competitive clubs like "Villarreal", "Celta", "Sevilla". We can name a few other clubs. If there are objectives, then a budget is allocated, players are bought, with whom Tsygankov would be comfortable to play. It all depends on the project. This is my opinion; after all, I am neither his agent nor his father.
— What do you think is the strongest European championship?
— The English Premier League, where all teams are evenly matched and strong. There are no obvious outsiders, and it is practically impossible to predict who will become the champion. The intrigue lasts until the very finish.
— In this league, where football is faster and more athletic, does it make sense for Tsygankov, who is prone to injuries, to go there?
— Indeed, not everyone can succeed in England. One needs to be resilient, able to handle the ball well at speed, and engage in one-on-ones. Many play there, but it is very challenging for them. If they don’t meet at least these criteria, injuries could pile up. Again, for Tsygankov, the most suitable championship is the Spanish one.
— After two and a half years of performances in Europe, does Viktor deserve to be in a more prestigious club than Girona?
— If we talk about the season before last, then yes, more likely than not. But last year, the midfielder played at the level of "Girona" results. Perhaps a little better, but he did not pull the team on his own.
— Is that why top clubs in their championships are not showing interest in Tsygankov according to the press?
— And that’s part of it too. Right now in Europe, and not just there, there are many young and talented footballers. The choice for clubs is enormous. To be in demand, one must always be in the spotlight. To decide some matches.
— Staying at "Girona" is a disadvantage for Tsygankov’s career development?
— It’s not that simple. Again, we don’t know what plans this team has for the upcoming season. A lot depends on the club, the agent, and many decisions are made by his father. But Viktor is an ambitious player; he wants to win. However, how everything will turn out is still difficult to say. A person who works hard will be rewarded, and Tsygankov is just that type of player.
Sergey Demyanchuk