- Denis, where were you last season? Nothing was heard about you.
- This is a very interesting story. I do not know how to explain it. As one friend said well, Maxim Remchukov, the former general director of Kuban, “passed universities” on me. He is a young guy, he plunged into football for the first time.
“What happened?”
- It's no secret that I am the highest paid footballer of the Kuban. And I never had a desire to just get paid, I wanted to play. But Remchukov is inexperienced in these matters. I had offers from other clubs, but it was impossible to agree on financial issues with Kuban.
- It turns out that the club leader wanted to see you in the team, but the coach did not allow you to play?
- Coach Pavel Yakovenko came and said that he would create a new team. Maxim Remchukov did not understand this situation. I could go to another club, but they didn’t sell me.
- And you had to suffer the season?
- That's right. Now, thank God, there have been changes in the Kuban. A new leader arrived who began to solve problems. I set only one condition - to sell me to the Premier League club. But the year has not passed in vain. They wrote that I was lying on the couch and did not want to do anything. It is not true.
“What did you do?”
- Firstly, I played for Chernomorets. Secondly, I spent five matches for Minsk Dynamo in the championship of Belarus and scored five goals. We took second place, but the club did not have the money to buy my transfer, since I was on loan there. I never thought about ending my career. I just don't want to play in the first league.
- Yes, it’s not easy there.
- You see, this is a rather specific tournament. 42 games, constant flights, trips. Very unusual. Only two types of players can play there. The first is young guys who have a perspective. The second is veterans who are already ending their careers. I do not belong to either category.
- Why did you suffer at all in Kuban?
- I had a contract with the army club until the end of 2007. And there were no problems at the club. Valery Gazzayev returned ... But a very tempting offer came from Krasnodar. There, as you remember, Oleg Deripaska came with very serious intentions. They wanted to make a team based on football players who were born and raised in the province. They called me home, promised brilliant prospects. They said that you can’t play in the same team for a long time - and I played for CSKA for five years. Although he was never a defector.
- In general, agreed.
- Why not? I was offered a good contract. I was driving home. They promised that I would have great partners. And then it turned out that nothing happened. Yes, and the CEO was replaced.
- In CSKA, you had no future?
- Nobody drove me out of there. They reported that an offer had been received. I could agree, but I could stay. But I wanted to play at home.
- At home, play well. But better in the Champions League. Maybe Gazzayev made it clear that you have no chance at CSKA?
- I have a great relationship with Georgich. He was even surprised that I was leaving. He said: "I am back, there will be no problems." But I have already decided.
- Let's remember that championship year. CSKA then very often hit a penalty. And, as a rule, they were appointed for fouls against you. And to drop such a powerful striker is very difficult.
“I myself have never fallen.” On the contrary, coaches scolded me that I am too stable. Like, until the tram you cross, I will run.
“And you obeyed?”
- Valery Gazzaev told me to be trickier. It is necessary to fall so that the arbiter believes.
- CSKA was harshly criticized by the press. You have been accused of upright football.
- It was very strange to read all this. As soon as we won, they immediately poured mud on us. Like, we do not play, but only run forward and “strangle” the referees.
- So after all they ran after the judges and “strangled” them.
- It was so. But it’s all from the desire to win. We had a wonderful team. One for all and all for one. We still call back, communicate. We recall those years.
- Gazzaev reassured when you were criticized too much?
- By the way, we were praised for the defeat. They wrote: the team finally shows meaningful football. But it was worth winning, so they immediately criticized. The coach calmly explained to us that people who have achieved something are envious. And asked not to pay attention to criticism.
- You know, when a football player after CSKA almost does not play in the first division, and then arrives in Nalchik, then everyone thinks that his career is ending. Do you agree?
- I do not agree. I had two stages. The first in CSKA when I reached the national team. After the Kuban, my second stage begins. I want to return to the previous level. And I will do it in Nalchik, helping my new club. Unless, of course, they agree on my transfer. But you will hear about me.
Alexey Shevchenko, Belek