Igor Akinfeev can be Man Utd’s next Schmeichel
CSKA Moscow and Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev is only 23 years old but he’s one of the most experienced top-level goalkeepers in Europe.
He has been CSKA’s first-choice stopper since he was 17, and was Russia’s first choice at 18.
The word on Football Street is that Sir Alex Ferguson has identified the Russian as the man with the goods to be Man Utd’s next No.1 keeper; it looks very likely that he will sign Akinfeev in January, ostensibly as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who is still very good but nearing the end of his fine career.
Akinfeev passed his audition last night with flying colours – after the game, Fergie singled him out, saying he was “outstanding”. Although CSKA lost, to a late Tony Valencia goal, Akinfeev kept the score down with several fine saves, while also showing a fine command of his area. Some say he might have done better for Valencia’s shot. I don’t think so – it was a smart finish and Akinfeev was stranded.
At 6ft 1 in he’s not that tall for a modern keeper, but he’s very athletic for his size and physically solid in a crowded box too. And his experience for his age is unmatched – Fergie would be buying a proven international, yet also someone young enough to remain United’s first choice for a decade.
The next Peter Schmeichel anyone?
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russian pussyhole will never be good enough for united
He should have signed Given. Given won’t offer as many years but he could have gotten him cheaper, Akinfeev is going to cost 20m+.
hahabar- you dont even know what you are talking about! Akinfeev is what Man U needs, he’s top class
A wonderfully balanced point from Hahabar.
well done ‘hahahar’; a reasoned argument eloquently presented if ever i’ve seen one.
i remember he played brilliantly for cska against arsenal 3 years ago in the champions league
@Blah Blah Blah. What does it matter if he costs £20m. £20m for potentially a 15 great years at the club is a bargain.
I have to agree, hahabar, you obviously know fuck all about good goalkeeping.
The lad is 23 and is already outstanding. Apart from Spain, which seems to be his booby team, his performances are always first class and he makes some fantastic saves. Even when we played CSKA, and their defenders kept cocking up, he made some cracking defences.
And that ‘russian pussyhole’ stuff? Look at the impact that Russian pussyholes are causing in the Premiership. Arshavin has been fantastic, and if Pav actually got a chance from Harry ‘I won’t play Pavlyuchnko because he doesn’t speak English’ Redknapp, he’d have done brilliantly too.
I say Fergie Fergie, sign him up!!
And yeah, 20mil for a player that will keep improving is worth the investment. He’s 23 for Gods’ sake and already much better than Foster!
For god sake SAF sign him or we will loose him, as the chase for him is hot and Sign him in January or probably in the next summer transfer window………..
He will be a definite hit with the fans and we have good goalie for a decade………………..
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Hey Mia. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov at Everton is the newest Russian recruit that’s starting to make some noise
And once Zhirkov gets over the damn injury, he should have some killer games.
This guy is class, would be a good signing for any side, just wish arsenal would buy it!
Fegie better get akinfeev because i do not want given left man city he is very good there