At this stage, it almost feels unnecessary to point out that football pales into insignificance next to the atrocities taking place on a daily basis in Ukraine.
Anyone with eyes, ears and a semi-operable frontal lobe can work that out for themselves.
But, as ever, the fall-out spills over into elite-level sport. And, as the Russia – Ukraine conflict escalates, it could manifest itself as an exodus, some of the finest footballers in this corner of the continent travelling from East to West.
Tete and Pedrinho, two of Shakhtar Donetk’s current generation of Samba stars, have already been linked with Premier League clubs following FIFA’s announcement that players on the books of sides in Ukraine and Russia can break their contracts and join new teams on free transfers.
“Players and coaches will be considered out of contract until 30 June 2022,” reads a FIFA statement, via the BBC. “And will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind.”
Pedrinho, a target for Wolves and Everton amongst others, is just one of many who could take advantage of such a ruling. Another is a name that may be familiar to Leeds United supporters with longer memories than most.
Which Russia-based players could move to England?
In the summer of 2020, when COVID-19 was still running rife throughout Europe, Leeds United made a move for Gyrano Kerk, a free-scoring forward then plying his trade in the Eredivisie with FC Utrecht.
“There was interest from Leeds United at the time,” explains Kerk.
The fleet-footed forward scored 11 goals in that 2019/20 season before Marcelo Bielsa’s side came calling.
“But, in the end, that didn’t happen. It didn’t help that the league was temporarily suspended (due to COVID). As a result, and due to Utrecht’s high asking price, clubs decided to look at other options.
“I still have the ambition to go to England. But I’m in no rush.”
What better time than the present?
Kirk is one of those players free to leave the Russian Premier League behind.
The 26-year-old has not yet made a public statement on his future at Lokomotiv Moscow. But a Leeds side still very much in the relegation picture despite Sunday’s dramatic victory over Norwich City should be tempted to test the water at least.
If that heart-stopping 2-1 triumph at Elland Road proved anything, it’s that Leeds are a completely different side with a focal point. A better one, too.
Patrick Bamford was only fit enough to play 45 minutes against Norwich, however. His fitness cannot be relied upon after a season littered with niggles and knocks.
Kerk, pacey yet powerful and capable of playing both through the middle and out wide, would certainly ease the burden on Bamford’s shoulders.
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