Ex-Krasnodar athlete discloses strategies Safonov should employ for career advancement
Midfield legend Maxim Demenko of "Krasnodar" reckons Matvey Safonov needs to be patient about his career progression at Paris Saint-Germain, as reported by Gazeta.Ru. Currently, Safonov, the main goalkeeper for the Russian national team, finds himself on the bench behind Italian star Gianluigi Donnarumma.
"I think the wisest move would be to bide his time," Demenko asserted. "In retrospect, last season presented an opportunity too. Not every match went Safonov's way. Some games, he shone; others, not so much, with a few misses here and there. At the moment, it's best for him to stay put, train diligently, and maintain his readiness. He just joined, finished his first year, and adapted quite swiftly. The more time he spends with the team, the easier it will get. In his second season, things might become simpler for him. He'll feel more confident," Demenko added.
According to Demenko, if Safonov continues in his current role for another two to three years, he might need to reconsider his options. But, headding such experience at PSG isn't readily available elsewhere at the moment.
During his tenure with PSG, Safonov has played ten Ligue 1 matches, four games in the French Cup, including the semi-final, and twice in the Champions League. Prior to this, coach Boris Ignatyev had suggested that CSKA was ready for championship contention.
Despite being a backup goalkeeper, Safonov's focus should have improved following the resolution of a personal legal matter, involving a significant debt to his former wife[5]. However, Demenko did not elaborate on specific career moves Safonov should consider.
"Perhaps, Safonov could seize his chances in the upcoming European leagues, especially in the Champions League," suggests Demenko. "In the future, if Safonov continues to find himself on the bench, he might want to explore opportunities in other sports, such as football, for a fresh start."
