Former Ukrainian national team striker and football expert Viktor Leonenko has shared his thoughts on the country’s defenders. In an exclusive interview with FanDay.net, Leonenko named Shakhtar’s Rakitskiy and Zary Imerekov as the central defenders in his symbolic UPL team for the 2022/23 season. However, he criticized Dynamo Kiev’s Sirota and Popov, and Shakhtar’s Bondara, calling the latter “weak” and suggesting he wouldn’t get game time at any other club. The article provides stats and information on the three players in question, including their contracts and Transfermarkt valuations.
Former striker of the Ukrainian national team and Dynamo Kiev Viktor Leonenko, who is now a football expert, shares his opinion about Dynamo defenders Oleksandr Sirota and Denis Popov, as well as Shakhtar defender Valeriya Bondara.
Exclusively for FanDay.net, Viktor Leonenko, Jozsef Szabo and Oleg Fedorchuk form the symbolic UPL team of the 2022/23 season.
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Leonenko placed Shakhtar defender Rakitskiy and Zary Imerekov in the middle of his team’s defence. But the expert was disappointed with another Donetsk giant Bondara and Dynamo footballers Sirota and Popov.
“You don’t have to ask about Dynamo, we all saw what we played and how many passes Sirota and Popov made. The orphan is generally raw, I think he will remain so, but Popov is always injured, pumped, maybe.
Bondar is weak, take him out of Shakhtar, he won’t play anywhere. He somehow reminds me of Burda from Dynamo, who is now paired with Kolos, ”said Leonenko.
- Popov played 24 games and scored one goal. Denis’ contract with Dynamo is valid until September 30, 2025. Transfermarkt values the player at three million euros.
- orphan played for Dynamo in 28 games this season and scored one goal. His contract with the people of Kiev is valid until September 30, 2025. Transfermarkt values the player at three million euros.
- Cooper played for Shakhtar in all competitions this season 35 games. Scored one goal and one assist. The agreement between the defender and the Pitmen is valid until December 31, 2027. Transfermarkt values the player at five million euros.
