Spartak Moscow

After turbulent last season filled with controversy and open war between fans and players, Spartak seem to be in a rebuilding period this summer. Sticking with the appointed-in-the-spring coach Kononov the Reds have signed just 1 new player so far while 4 tested warriors already left the squad. Kononov is known from his previous jobs that he trusts young players and, with Spartak’s Academy one of the best in the land, at least 3-4 U19 players are likely to be involved with the first team regularly this season. The departure of the team’s top goalscorer for the last 2 seasons Ze Luis is seen as major loss though. Spartak generally struggled for goals in recent years and not looking like they can improve much in that department with newcomer Ponce an unproven quantity. Kononov is likely to use different formations early in the season as he has been doing all summer, with 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 seemingly his favourite options. Defensively Spartak have very strong core, but there is lack of creative players in the heart of the midfield and also the wide attacking areas are weakness, with the only top class winger that starts regularly Paraguayan Melgarejo. Hanni is also quality winger, but Kononov doesn’t like him and is hardly expected to use him much. Fernando is the heart and soul of Spartak at the minute and a lot will depend on the Brazilian’s future. Currently he is set to start the season in Red but, with lucrative offers from China and Western Europe, it could only be a matter of time before he leaves. If this happens, Spartak will have to sign reinforcements as, without Fernando, their generally weak midfield will look even poorer.