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Euro 2016 Player in Focus: Zenit’s Dzyuba-man!

Most players who will make a name for themselves this summer will be young guns. They’ll be walking into their first tournament, completely fearless and desperate to make a name for themselves.

 

That was Artyom Dzyuba four years ago ahead of Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. He was called up to the provisional Russia squad for the tournament, just months after making his debut, only to be dropped ahead of the finalised squad.

 

Two years later he was left out of the World Cup squad for Brazil, but now, aged 27, he could finally get his chance on the world stage.

 

The 6ft 5inched striker has been in fine form this season and it’ll be impossible for the national team to leave him out once again.

 

It’s only his first season with Zenit after joining the club on a free transfer last summer, and he’s made an immediate impact breaking the 20-goals-a-season barrier. That’s carried through to international football where he’s gone from zero to hero for Russia.

 

In 2015 he netted six goals in seven games and throughout the Qualifying campaign he bagged an impressive eight, the group’s top scorer alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

 

Like Ibrahimovic, his height could cause a series of problems in France, where they’ll go head-to-head with Slovakia, Wales, and England.

 

The nation is one of the favourites to qualify from Group B, and he could even cause problems for favourites England, with the Three Lions’ centre back pairing relatively weak.

 

In which case he could prove to be a standout figure. John Stones isn’t the strongest of central defenders and Gary Cahill has been susceptible too when he comes up against strong strikers. If balls are whipped in towards him, like in qualifying, he could well be onto something special at his first major tournament.

 

Before this season there was reason to doubt Dzyuba, he’d netted few for his country and tended to go slightly absent during busy games. His appearances for Zenit this season have been different. Despite Zenit liking to play stylish, along-the-deck type football under Andre Villas-Boas, he fits into the squad and side perfectly, scoring vital goals in wins over Gent, Lyon, and Valencia in the Champions League securing top spot in the group for them.

 

His form in qualifying should suggest he can do the same in France and Leonid Slutsky will certainly be hoping he can continue his great form to go beyond the Group Stage, a feat they couldn’t manage four years ago.

Andy Clark

Andy Clark

Founder and Editor at Thatsagoal.com
Andy is the founder and editor of thatsagoal.com and now looks after the tipping team to ensure we are bringing you the best free football betting tips around.
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