Saturday Fulham Stuff - 13/09/25...

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Fulham v Leeds United: Daniel Farke on the blueprint which has helped establish Marco Silva's side
Depending how the next few seasons pan out, maybe we might look back on the Class of '22 as something special. Leeds United will certainly hope not.

Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest hold the dubious distinction of being the last teams to win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League – in 2021-22 – and actually stay there. It is something Leeds want to emulate.

But Forest, Bournemouth and 2022 champions Fulham, who host Leeds at Craven Cottage on Saturday, did more than just that. The Whites are looking to emulate that too, but first things first.

Forest will be in this season's Europa League. Andoni Iraola's heavily Marcelo Bielsa-influenced Cherries finished only two places behind in last season's Premier League, ninth.

Eleventh-placed Fulham had the most modest season of the three last term, but it was a high bar. They looked down on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, on traditional clubs Everton and West Ham United, plus Europa League finalists Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

They stand alone as the last team promoted to the Premier League not involved in a relegation battle since.

So when Leeds manager Daniel Farke studied what it takes for newly-promoted clubs to survive in the top-flight, the Cottagers will have featured very highly.

The 2022-23 season was the sixth in a row Fulham spent yo-yoing between the top two tiers yet they now feel established under the shrewd management of former Hull City coach Marco Silva.

"I think the gap between Premier League and Championship is wider now than at the time they went up," stresses Farke, with the top division now working to a new, bigger domestic television contract. "I don't want to comment too much on an individual club but generally the sides who are promoted due to a top defence find it a bit easier to adapt in comparison to the sides who were winning Championship games 6-3."

By that reckoning, Burnley are the best equipped of the Class of '25 to stay up, but despite 95 goals scored, Leeds do not fall into the second category. Their 30 conceded in 46 games was second only to the Clarets' astonishing 16.

Equallly, Farke is not lulled into a false sense of security by the goals Leeds scored in the Championship, which is why he wanted two more attackers on deadline day, which his club did not deliver.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 26 and 43 Championship goals in Fulham's last two promotion seasons translated into three and 14 in the following Premier League campaigns.

"That was one of my key topics, to not over-estimate the offensive power you have at Championship level because when you compare that to Premier League sides it's not that outstanding," argues Farke.

"You have to concentrate on a really strong defence and being good in terms of defending. The newly-promoted sides capable of doing this always have a chance to stay in this league.

"Also (Leeds looked at) which type of player we wanted to recruit – the age of the players, the state of the players. (To have) players who are proven at a special level instead of too many 'project' players who haven't played in a top level was quite important to me.

"Fulham also invested in real quality when they came up – look now at the options and quality they have. Marco is doing a fantastic job and I'm not surprised any more that they are able to play such a fantastic season and even against the top teams they are so often really competitive.

"I wouldn't say we'd try to copy them because every club is a bit special and a bit different, in a different situation when you go up.

"There are many things to like but that doesn't mean we travel in fear."

That is an important message Farke never tires of repeating this season: stronger defensively should not equal negative.

"The importance of being rock solid at the back doesn't mean we just concentrate on parking the bus, otherwise we wouldn't have dominated the game against Everton," he points out. "We won't sell our DNA.

"The focus is a bit more on details.

"For example, when we build up we perhaps have one player more behind the ball to control the counter-attacks better, or are even more switched on when we lose the ball to come back a bit quicker.

"It was always important to add individual quality to our offence, it was not like we just needed to strengthen the defence and hope for some help from the boss on high."

If Leeds can emulate the Class of '22, it will be done on more than a wing and a prayer.



https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/fulham-v-leeds-united-daniel-farke-on-the-blueprint-which-has-helped-establish-marco-silvas-side-5315119

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Fulham could do something never seen before in the Premier League vs Leeds United
Leeds United take on Fulham on Saturday in their second away game since their promotion back to the Premier League.

It's fair to say their first one didn't go to plan, as the Whites were thrashed by Arsenal, but picking up a win against Everton and a draw with Newcastle at Elland Road means it has been a solid start to the season for Daniel Farke's men.

Hopefully, for the travelling United supporters, Farke has made Leeds tougher to score against from set-pieces, as Fulham will likely be looking to exploit these at Craven Cottage.

Leeds have also been incredibly lacklustre going forward, and to score, they may have to make Fulham do something that has never been seen before in the Premier League.

Fulham on the verge of claiming an unwanted record when they face Leeds
Lukas Nmecha's penalty against Everton is the Whites' only goal of the season so far from their opening three games.

Considering Leeds only accumulated a 0.69 xG against Newcastle, another penalty looks like their best bet of scoring again, given how poor they have been from open play.

If Farke's side is awarded a penalty later on 13 September, it would be a historic one.

    Fulham have conceded a penalty in their last five Premier League matches
    This is the joint longest run with Wimbledon in August 1999 and Norwich in August and September of 2011
    No side has given away a penalty in six consecutive Premier League matches

If Leeds do get a penalty, they may have a different taker this time out, with Farke confirming that Nmecha is carrying an injury at his pre-game press conference.

Another draw would be a good result for Leeds
Despite it being early in the season, it is already apparent that Leeds are not going to be the free-flowing attacking force they were at points last season under Farke.

If the Whites can be defensively solid on the road against mid-table opposition and pick up another point, this would be another good result.

The lack of investment from the 49ers towards the backend of the window means that Leeds will have to be an even more defensive outfit than some supporters anticipated following their promotion to the Premier League.



https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/fulham-could-do-something-never-seen-before-in-the-premier-league-vs-leeds-united/

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Extra pressure on Police as London chaos predicted ahead of Fulham vs Leeds United
Leeds United and their supporters will be making the trip to London on Saturday when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Most will be considering how Daniel Farke can make Leeds more defensively sound from set-pieces, or will the Whites finally score their first goal from open play?

However, it is shaping up to be a chaotic day for those travelling down to watch the game in person, with Leeds' fixture being just one of five Premier League matches set to take place in the capital.

On top of this, two high-profile demonstrations are also set to take place, meaning a vastly increased police presence is expected for chaos in the capital on Saturday.

This article contains an exclusive opinion from former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.

Always extra pressure when Leeds United are in town,' says Keith Hackett
With prominent pundits like Chris Sutton predicting Leeds to lose, it could turn out to be a stressful day for travelling members of the Elland Road faithful.

Regarding the increased police presence on the day, Hackett had this to say, hoping that fans will behave and stay away from unnecessary trouble.

The ex-PGMOL chief did, however, admit that when Leeds fans are in town, pressure rises given the increased number of supporters.

"There is a high-ranking police officer linked with every Premier League club," he exclusively told MOT Leeds News.

"They carry out detailed research and planning meetings before every game.

"The allocation of seats for away fans enables the pre-game planning to be aware of numbers travelling by coach and train. Police officers travel with away fans on the train. Even the estimated time of arrival of fans is known.

"There is no doubt that with this number of teams in the capital, I am sure that any police leave will be restricted. Let's hope that fans will behave and stay clear of any public protests that might be planned.

"There is always that extra pressure on security when Leeds United are in town, given the number of followers they have. Many will turn up at the ground even if they do not have an entrance ticket."

How many players are a doubt for Leeds' game with Fulham?
Although it may be early in the season, there are already multiple injury concerns for Farke and Co.

Farke revealed in his pre-game press conference that Lukas Nmecha is among those carrying an injury, making him a doubt for the game.

Whilst the German manager kept his cards relatively close to his chest, these are the players who are either a doubt or fully ruled out for the game against Fulham on Saturday:

    Lukas Nmecha – foot injury – doubt
    Joel Piroe – Bruised calf – doubt
    Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka – late decisions to be made on their fitness – doubts
    Lucas Perri – quad strain – ruled out

Let's hope that trouble is avoided and Leeds leave Craven Cottage with all three points.



https://motleedsnews.com/exclusives/extra-pressure-on-police-as-london-chaos-predicted-ahead-of-fulham-vs-leeds-united/

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Marco Silva has given Leeds United a solution to their striker crisis for Fulham clash
Dan James is a man under the spotlight right now, with the Leeds United man's form for club and country not where it should be.

Dan James tore the Championship apart last season. His 12 goals and nine assists landed him the Leeds United Player of the Season award, and it's set the stage for him to finally crack the Premier League at the age of 27.

So far though, James hasn't been up to scratch. Leeds United fans have criticised James' performances of late with the Welshman yet to score or assist in three league appearances.

Likewise, Welsh media have been critical of James during the September international break, and so James returns to Elland Road with a point to prove.

Daniel Farke tells Dan James to up his game at Leeds United
It's not just fans that think James has to really step up this season, but Daniel Farke too. Speaking ahead of the weekend, Farke told James he needs to step up this season, along with other players too.

The Leeds boss said: "Not just Willy, but Daniel James also has a point to prove on this level, also Jack Harrison after a good start, back to life, also right now still on the run to win all the supporters back. Brenden Aaronson also point to prove... So all my offensive players also need to step up."

Could Dan James be used as a striker at Leeds United?
Wingers and strikers are thin on the ground at Thorp Arch. Leeds' failure to sign anyone on deadline day could prove fatal and already we're seeing the cracks emerge, with Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe injury doubts for the Fulham game.

It leaves Farke relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin whose injury record we all know is patchy. Leeds then could have to get creative if there are any issues between now and January and one potential option could be laying James up front.

We saw last season how James' finishing ability had come on leaps and bounds from the season before. Also, James is one of the fastest players in the Premier League this season and so playing him up front could work, if supplied with chances.

And it wouldn't be the first time James has played up top. During his loan spell with Fulham in 2022/23, Marco Silva used James as a striker on occasion, notably in a 3-1 win away at Everton in April 2023 in which James actually scored.

Silva explained his thinking to The Athletic: "We changed the profile of our no.9 to use James as a striker because we wanted to explore some things in their back line, in behind the two central defenders, with Harry Wilson on the right side as well. We did really well, the players took to the plan."

Silva will surely have a plan in place to nullify James' pace on Saturday, with kick off at 3pm.



https://www.leedsunited.news/opinion/marco-silva-has-given-leeds-united-a-solution-to-their-striker-crisis-for-fulham-clash/

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Daniel Farke set to unleash Leeds United star that 'ticks every box' v Fulham – Opinion
Leeds United's trip down to Fulham this afternoon sees Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha as injury doubts, paving the way for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to start for the first time.

When Farke spoke to the press on Thursday, he was eager to put a disappointed end to the summer window behind him.

Attacking signings were saved until last, but after wide man Noah Okafor, all attempts were in vain as Farke was forced to settle.

Leeds United team news confirmed pre-Fulham: Farke has striker headache
Speaking this week ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage, Farke delivered some mixed team news.

Confirming Lucas Perri is absent for two games due to a quad strain, the German also revealed doubts for striker duo Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe.

"Lukas Nmecha got a hit on his foot and missed training yesterday," Farke told LUFC. "Joel Piroe also got hit in his calf and has a big bruise. We'll have to wait to see how he reacts in the next 48 hours."

There was positive news for Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka, who returned to team training earlier this week. Both suffered MCL setbacks in August and were given a return date of after the recent international break.

Door wide open for Dominic Calvert-Lewin's first Leeds United start after confirmed team news
If we're to read into the wording of Farke's comments, we can be reasonably confident that at least one of Piroe or Nmecha will be fit enough to travel today.

Minor knocks in training aren't as alarming as a muscle problem, but it opens the door. Namely, for Leeds' third striker: Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The free transfer has made one Premier League cameo off the bench against Newcastle United, in which he showed confidence.

Striving to drag Leeds up the field with aerial presence, he could have made his home debut in perfect fashion. Only to be denied by a combination of Dan Burn's lunge and Nick Pope's big leg, thwarting his low drive.

It's well documented how Leeds have struggled thus far to create and finish chances after three games. Farke, though, is ready to bring a really strong addition in his eyes into the lineup.

    "Dominic is a proven player at Premier League level," Farke told LUFC upon landing the England international. "As a newly promoted side, it's important with all new signings, that they have already delivered at the top level, are still at a good age and on the way up in their career – Dominic ticked all these."

Whether or not he's up to speed after missing all of pre-season remains to be seen. That being said, him starting is probably a case of needs must, given other setbacks confirmed by Farke this week.



https://www.leedsallover.com/fulham-v-leeds-team-news-farke-opens-door-calvert-lewin/

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Marco Silva speaks about his squad strength before the battle with Leeds United
The Fulham manager mentioned his thoughts on the deadline day incomings.

Marco Silva showed his eagerness to kick on from a historic campaign, and he might have got his wish at the eleventh hour. The manager discussed three arrivals from the start of the month on deadline day, two of whom are options in an area of the pitch that was crying out for depth.

    'They will add what we've been looking for'

Silva had not held back about his thoughts on the transfer window. After a record-breaking tally of 54 points, the Cottagers had only signed second choice shot stopper Benjamin Lecomte for £500,000.

He had highlighted how light the squad was in terms of wingers. With the emergence of Josh King as an attacking midfielder, Alex Iwobi was one of three players stationed on the flanks. However, his participation in AFCON for Nigeria would have been a bigger blow without two very late arrivals.

"With Adama, Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi, they're going to be our solutions for the wide areas."

In the circumstances, the manager made clear how happy he was to have gotten two more wide men.

"We believe the profiles of Samuel Chukwueze and Kevin will add what we've been looking for in those areas of the pitch."

Kevin has arrived for £34.6 million after a year and a half in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk. The Brazilian was the Player of the Season last term for his old club and arrives in West London as the new record club signing for Fulham. He has benefitted from having a little more time to integrate.

"Kevin has settled in well. He's working hard to understand everything we need from him. He's very young, 22-years-old, but he has the experience of playing Champions League and European games."

With Bayern Munich forward Jonah Kusi-Asare, there is a second loanee: Samuel Chukwueze. Capable of filling in from the left, he has spent more time playing on the right wing with Villarreal and AC Milan. It is a race against time to get him ready for the weekend after featuring for Nigeria.

"The first time I saw Chukwueze and Jonah Kusi-Asare was yesterday, but Kevin is slightly different because he's been with us for the last 10 days."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/09/12/fulham/1233526-marco-silva-speaks-about-his-squad-strength-before-the-battle-withleeds-united.html

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Marco Silva sees a 'winning mentality and good vibes' from Leeds United camp
The Fulham boss believes the positivity of the previous campaign is helping the visitors.

For ambitious clubs, three points at home against a promoted outfit is a must. But Marco Silva is not sleeping on Leeds United, whose "winning mentality and good vibes" from last year remain intact.

    'It's going to be tough'

Leeds United strolled to promotion at the second attempt after they dropped to the second tier in May 2023. While the challenge of clashing with the best clubs in England week to week is a different task altogether, the effect of a winning mentality can contribute to much more competitive performances.

"Very tough game as always. When you are in the Championship and you win promotion, that winning mentality and good vibes when you are winning games, if you can keep that going into the Premier League season, it's very important. They've done that."

Silva saw the benefits of being in the Championship when he steered Fulham into the Premier League in 2022. The Cottagers have stayed there since, and Leeds are pursuing a similar goal.

"They've got that mentality where getting promoted means you've been winning most of your games. They've had a good start to the Premier League season."

Critics have questioned whether Daniel Farke has learned from his faults at Norwich City, and so far, his men have boasted a strong home record, beating Everton 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United. Silva sees their strengths, and he is not holding their 5-0 rout away at Arsenal against them.

"Elland Road, you know it's going to be tough for any team to play there, and they had a tough game away from home at Arsenal. It's going to be tough. An aggressive side with some quality players."

He hopes, though, that this defeat in the English capital bodes well for his players. Fulham have not had the rub of the green in their last two matches, seeing Calvin Bassey punished at both ends of the pitch in a 1-1 draw with Man United and a disallowed Joshua King goal in a 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

The manager has tried to keep up the spirits of the side, and he is gunning for all three points.

"Our performance against Man United, the first half against Chelsea, before the circumstances that killed us, were at a very high level. We have to keep playing at that level and get a different result."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/09/12/fulham/1233527-marco-silva-sees-a-winning-mentality-and-good-vibes-from-leedsunited-camp.html

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Anzhi Makhachkala Signed 18 Players in Wild Spending Spree - Where Are They Now?
Football fans of a certain vintage will remember the name Anzhi Makhachkala. The Russian club sent shockwaves through Europe with their freewheeling spending between 2011 and 2013, looking to do what many Saudi Pro League sides are attempting today - drag football away from its roots and create a new force of nature.

In January 2011, Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, worth £7.2 billion at the time, purchased his hometown club. To say he was ambitious would be an understatement. Kerimov was determined to bring superstar names to Russia and transform Anzhi into the country's biggest club.

During his reign, Kerimov made 18 major signings. The high point came in 2012/13, when Anzhi finished third in the Russian Premier League and qualified for the Europa League - even beating Liverpool - under Guus Hiddink.

But in summer 2013, disaster struck: Kerimov lost £5.5 billion on an investment, Anzhi unravelled, star players were offloaded, and Rene Meulensteen, who briefly replaced Hiddink, was sacked after just 16 days. A dramatic freefall followed, ultimately stripping Anzhi of its professional status. But what became of the players signed during those short-lived glory days?

The 18 Players Anzhi Makhachkala Signed Between 2011 and 2013
Roberto Carlos (Free transfer)
The legendary Brazilian, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in Champions League history, was 37 when he arrived in Russia, having been released by Corinthians. He was likely ready to retire, but Kerimov offered him £8.6 million over two years to play defensive midfield.

On top of that, he was gifted a £1.2 million Bugatti Veyron for his birthday, so turning down such a tempting end-of-career payout would have been difficult. From a performance perspective, however, the transfer seemed more about showmanship than actually pushing the club toward glory.

Willian (£31.5 million)
Willian played just 11 games for Anzhi, despite being their record signing before moving to Chelsea for a similar fee. It was in the Premier League where he truly shone, his explosive pace on the flanks helping the Blues win two league titles, an FA Cup, and a Europa League

Now 37 and playing for Gremio in his home country, Willian was still active in England as recently as last season, featuring in 10 league games for Fulham and bringing his Premier League career totals to 47 goals and 45 assists in 327 appearances.

Samuel Eto'o (£24.3 million)
Eto'o became the highest-paid player in the world when he joined Anzhi, picking up £17.3m-per-year after tax. He rewarded them with 26 goals in 73 matches. He also lived in Moscow, making the 1,200-mile flight to Makhachkala for matches because he feared for his safety.

"Plenty of people will be looking out for my security, and if I took this decision it's because I don't consider that my life or that of my family are in any danger," Eto'o told his website upon his arrival. "I'll travel there on the day of the match or the eve of the match and then I'll go back to Moscow. It's that simple." He then had brief stints with Chelsea and Everton before doing a tour of Turkey and the Middle East with the likes of Antalyaspor and Qatar SC.

Aleksandr Kokorin (£17.1 million)
Anzhi didn't just try to poach Europe's top talents - they also showed some (though very limited) commitment to developing players already in the country, as evidenced by the arrival of Aleksandr Kokorin, who would go on to earn just shy of 50 international caps for Russia.

However, Kokorin never made a first-team appearance for Anzhi and was sold to Dynamo Moscow after less than 12 months in Dagestan. He later enjoyed a successful spell at Zenit, winning the Russian Cup, Russian Super Cup, and Russian Premier League. Now 34, he plays for Cyprus-based club Aris Limassol.

Lacina Traore (£12.6 million)
The lanky striker, who was nicknamed "The Big Tree", scored 18 goals in 46 matches for the club but, at the age of 35, has now been without a club for three years, having last played for Bandırmaspor in the second tier of Turkish football before having a five-game stint at third tier Portuguese side Varzim.

Sadly, Traore never played more than 50 games at any club he joined, and he was constantly shifted out on loan to the likes of Everton and Amiens upon joining Monaco in 2014. Still, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 with Ivory Coast is definitely a highlight.

Igor Denisov (£13.5 million)
Denisov managed just three matches before he was also sold to Dynamo Moscow. The fiery midfielder was constantly at loggerheads with coaches and managers throughout his career, and refused to play any part in Russia's Euro 2008 campaign, where they made it to the semi-finals before being knocked out by Spain.

He had a penchant for training ground bust-ups and was once caught drink-driving. Denisov spent most of his career from 2002 to 2013 at his hometown club Zenit Saint Petersburg, playing 354 games, scoring 29 goals and winning honours including three Russian Premier League titles and the UEFA Cup, but ultimately let himself down with his short-fused temper.

Yuri Zhirkov (£13.5 million)
Signed from Chelsea, Zhirkov played 63 times for Anzhi before moving on to - yes, you guessed it - Dynamo Moscow. He was eventually snapped up by Zenit during their halcyon days and finished his career with 105 international caps for Russia, earning a spot in the Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament.

Over his career, he also won the Premier League and FA Cup in England, as well as five Russian Premier League titles and a UEFA Cup.

Balazs Dzsudzsak (£12.6 million)
The Hungarian international joined from PSV but made just eight appearances for Anzhi due to injuries. He soon moved on to Dynamo Moscow. Now 38, he continues to play for his hometown club Debreceni, having amassed 109 caps for the Hungary national team during a successful international career.

Chris Samba (£12.6 million & £10.44 million)
This perhaps sums up the Anzhi madness. They signed the defender from Blackburn Rovers in January 2012, only to sell him back to QPR the following year. But six months later, the club splashed out again on another hefty transfer fee. You'll never guess where he went after just five appearances - Dynamo Moscow once again stepping in like Anzhi's younger brother in all of this.

Jucilei (£9 million)
Jucilei was actually quite loyal to Anzhi. While many players sought a quick escape, the Brazilian stuck around for the disastrous 2013/14 season. In total, he made 99 appearances for the club before moving on to stints in Abu Dhabi and China, eventually returning to Brazil to play out his later years with Sao Paulo and Boavista.

Moubarak Boussoufa (£7.2 million)
Snapped up from Anderlecht, Boussoufa scored 13 goals and assisted a further 27 in his 87 appearances for Anzhi. Not a bad signing for £7.2 million, proving that big money moves aren't always the way forward. The Dutch-born Moroccan attacking midfielder embellished his career in the Middle East after having flourished with his national team, playing 70 times for the Atlas Lions.

Vladimir Gabulov (£6 million)
Vladimir Gabulov joined Anzhi in 2011 for £3.4 million, becoming their primary goalkeeper during the club's fleeting time in the sunshine. From 2011 to 2013, he made 61 appearances, securing 23 clean sheets, and helped Anzhi reach the Europa League Round of 16 in 2012-13.

However, financial troubles led to a budget cut in 2013, triggering a player exodus. Gabulov returned to Dynamo Moscow, later played for Arsenal Tula and Club Brugge, retiring in 2018. Post-retirement, he served as FC Olimp Khimki's chairman and their general director before it dissolved this year.

Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez (£5.13 million)
Signed from Standard Liege, Carcela-Gonzalez played 47 times for Anzhi - mostly during the 2012/13 season. He was sold back to Standard Liege, where he finished his career following spells at Benfica, Granada and Olympiacos. Like Boussoufa, he was also a mainstay in the Morocco setup, featuring 22 times and scoring once from midfield.

Ewerton (£4.86 million)
Ewerton didn't leave the Russian club until 2015 when he joined Sporting. He played 35 times for Anzhi, before making a success of himself in Portugal, though he ended up retiring at just 31 after a brief spell in Germany with Nuremberg and the oddly-named Wurzburger Kickers.

Lassana Diarra (£4.5 million)
Anzhi signed the defensive midfielder from Real Madrid, but he lasted just 18 league matches before moving to Russian Premier League rivals, Lokomotiv Moscow. He ended his career at Paris Saint-Germain after having also had spells with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Portsmouth.

Although he was never able to work his way into being first-choice at any of these clubs, he won't be complaining that his trophy cabinet includes two FA Cups and a Ligue 1 title. In the 2005/06 season, he won Chelsea's Player of the Season award, too, proving he always had the potential to reach the top.

Diego Tardelli (£4.5 million)
The striker failed to score in 14 matches for Anzhi before moving to Qatar - odd, considering he had no trouble finding the net in the Brazilian Serie A. He finished his career with 209 goals in 608 appearances for clubs including Atletico Mineiro, Gremio, and Santos.

His talent also caught the eye of the Brazil national team, where he managed three goals in 14 appearances during a period when Neymar was still making his mark.

Andrey Yeshchenko (£4.3 million)
Andrey Yeshchenko joined Anzhi in 2013 during the club's final few months of lavish spending. Playing as a right-back, he made 34 appearances in the Russian Premier League without scoring, contributing to a mid-table finish in 2013-14. In 2014, he was loaned to FC Kuban Krasnodar, where he played 21 matches.

After Anzhi, Yeshchenko returned to Dynamo Moscow on loan in 2016 before signing with Spartak Moscow, where he won the Russian Premier League in 2016/17. He retired in January 2025 after a stint with PSK Pervorechenskoe and became manager of FC Kuban Krasnodar - a position he still holds.

Oleg Shatov (£2.5 million)
Oleg Shatov joined Anzhi in the 2011/12 winter window from Ural Yekaterinburg, becoming a key playmaker amid the club's rise to prominence. Over 18 months, he made around 50 appearances across competitions, showcasing versatility as an attacking midfielder and winger.

His form earned a Russia national team debut in 2012, scoring on his international bow against Iceland. When Anzhi slashed budgets in 2013, he moved to Zenit for a reported €20 million. There, he won two Russian Premier League titles and a Cup. Loans to Krasnodar 2017 and Rubin Kazan preceded a 2021 return to Rubin, then rejoining Ural in 2022. In November 2024, he became Ural's caretaker manager.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 13/09/2025)



https://www.givemesport.com/anzhi-makhachkala-18-players-signed-what-happened-to-them/

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