Former Ukraine coach Yozhef Sabo believes it is only a matter of time before new £24 million signing Illia Zabarnyi is leaving AFC Bournemouth for one of the Premier League’s ‘leading teams’, talking up a future switch to Manchester City in conversation with UA Tribuna.
Over the last 12 months, three highly-talented young players have swapped Ukrainian football for the bright lights of England.
Vitaliy Mykolenko left Dynamo Kiev for Everton. Chelsea then snapped Mykhaylo Mudryk from under Arsenal’s nose. And, in January, billionaire-backed Bournemouth splashed out £24 million on an outstanding young centre-half who, like Mykolenko, rose through the ranks at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex.
“I can only congratulate such a transfer,” says Sabo, who had two spells in charge of Ukraine in the 1990s.
“In the Premier League, the teams are strong. Zabarnyi is just right for English football, because it is a powerful championship. I can only hope he grows (in England).”
Will Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi end up at Manchester City
Zabarnyi, who was heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur back in 2022, idolises Virgil van Dijk. He certainly shares a few key similarities with the giant Dutchman. Zabarnyi is a fearsome aerial presence. And, at 6ft 2ins, he also possesses a technical ability that belies his towering frame.
It is that combination of power and finesse that has Sabo tipping a team coached by Pep Guardiola to take note of Zabarnyi somewhere down the line.
“So far, Manchester City have not signed him,” Sabo adds. “But, if he raises his level, then he will definitely be signed by the leading teams of the Premier League. But he must grow first.
“This transfer is a plus for everyone; for the player, the clubs and the national team.”
20-year-old Zabarnyi already has 24 caps for the Ukrainian national team. He was one of a handful of eye-catching January additions for a newly ambitious Bournemouth. Hamed Traore, Antoine Semenyo, Matias Vina and £20 million Dango Ouattara also arrived.
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