Kirill Glebov emerges as Europe's third-most explosive young football talent
CSKA Moscow's Kirill Glebov has been named one of the most explosive young talents in European football. A new study by the CIES Football Observatory places him third globally for high-intensity accelerations per 90 minutes. The 20-year-old stands out as the only Russian under-21 player recognised in this category for the current season. The CIES report tracks players under 21 who perform the most high-intensity accelerations—sprints exceeding 3 m/s² for over 0.7 seconds. Glebov averages 13.1 such bursts per match, trailing only Lyon's Afonso Moreira (13.5) and La Louvière's Jerry Afriyie (13.3). No other Russian Premier League player in his age group features in the rankings.
On the pitch, Glebov has been a key figure for CSKA this season. He has played 28 matches across all competitions, scoring seven goals and contributing three assists. His combination of speed, stamina, and attacking output has made him a standout performer in Russia's top flight.
Glebov's inclusion in the CIES rankings highlights his physical and technical development. With seven goals, three assists, and elite acceleration metrics, he has become a vital asset for CSKA. The study's findings further cement his reputation as one of Europe's most promising young forwards.