The subject of strong interest from Real Betis towards the end of the transfer window in Spain, Oleksandr Zinchenko, used sporadically by Pep Guardiola as a left-back last season, ended up staying at Manchester City.
As things stand, with Benjamin Mendy returning from injury, the Ukraine international has yet to play a minute of club football this campaign, but that didn’t stop him from being called up to the national team for the current international break.
While not starting, the 21-year-old came off the bench twice, and even scored the winner against the Czech Republic in the 93rd minute.
Over in Ukraine, the Manchester City youngster is now being lauded, exemplified by Viktor Vatsko’s comments, commentator for Football 1.
He said, relayed by FootBoom: “When Zinchenko was called up to the national team, many were thinking “What the hell is in the team for, he’s out of practice at Manchester City”, but it seems that playing with De Bruyne and Aguero is a very good option.
“He came on in both games and refreshed them. Like Tsygankov, he adds dynamism, he gets the ball and boldly goes on the attack, without stopping, without looking back”.
Great praise for the 21-year-old, who will want to cement a spot in Andriy Shevchenko’s side, perhaps by taking Andriy Yarmolenko’s spot, or Eugene Konoplyanka’s.
