Former Ukraine striker Viktor Leonenko disagrees with suggestions that Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has become a ‘world class’ talent at the Premier League leaders.
While already one of Ukraine’s successful exports at the age of just 26, Zinchenko appears to have a rather complex relationship with sections of the media back home.
Leonenko, ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Gareth Southgate’s England, labelled the former Manchester City ace ‘a good football player but definitely not a great one’. Ukraine’s ‘weak’ link in defence.
And Leonenko did not miss the opportunity to criticise Arsenal’s number 35 again after Andriy Shevchenko – possibly the greatest ever Ukrainian talent – argued that Zinchenko was blossoming into one of the world’s finest left-backs under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.
Is Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko a world-class left-back?
“Andriy Shevchenko said that Zinchenko is the best left-back in the world,” Leonenko says in quotes reported by FanDay. “Friends, what do you think I think about Sheva? (Paolo) Maldini? Roberto Carlos? Well, it is just offhand.
“Andriy, don’t be crazy. I understand that it is necessary to support (our players). But throwing stardom like that is only a disgrace to yourself.”
A little harsh, perhaps.
Zinchenko may have made a couple of high-profile mistakes in recent weeks. Nutmegged by Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield before switching off to allow Theo Walcott to double Southampton’s lead on Friday night.
But his influence on and off the pitch in North London should not be underestimated.
“He has the passion (of a captain). He’s a leader. He leads by example,” AC Milan icon Shevchenko, who handed Zinchenko the captaincy during his time as Ukraine’s head coach, tells CBS Sports.
“He’s so light on the ball, very good technique. And he was not afraid to take responsibility when he was playing, even when he first started. You could see immediately that he had a different, natural quality to anybody else; technique, movement and confidence.
“He has developed and grown so much. The captain of the Ukrainian national team, one of the best left-backs this season. He deserves all of this for his passion for football, his discipline, his desire and ambition.”
Zinchenko will return to Manchester City in Wednesday’s huge clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
