Not participating in the next World Cup due to the war in Ukraine, Russia must make do with friendly matches. On Wednesday, Valeri Karpine’s men will face Peru, then Chile on Saturday.
The opportunity for
Matvey Safonov to regain playing time, he who has not had the right to a single second since the start of the season with Paris Saint-Germain. In his native country, there is total incomprehension, especially at a time when Lucas Chevalier is frankly struggling to convince, three months after his recruitment for forty million euros.
The goalkeeper coach of the Russian selection believes that Luis Enrique should give the Frenchman’s understudy a chance.
“They are about the same level. You just have to give Matvey at least three matches in a row. Then, he will progress from match to match. Despite the lack of playing time at PSG, he is in excellent shape thanks to constant training”judged Vitaly Kafanov, in the columns of Sports Express.
Safonov bides his time at PSG
A departure could be considered if this situation remained frozen. “Matvey must bide his time and seize it when it presents itself. Personally, I don’t think it’s appropriate to give him advice (on his future). Matvey will make his own decision when he deems it necessary”provides the former last bastion of Kazakhstan.
Recruited in June 2024 from FK Krasnodar, as part of a transfer estimated at nearly twenty million euros, Safonov played 17 games for his first season with the Rouge et Bleu, during the previous year. Initially, the Russian international had the ambition to pass Gianluigi Donnarumma in the hierarchy of goalkeepers by arriving at PSG.
