Former Zenit St. Petersburg striker Artem Dzyuba has opened up about the club's 2020 signing of Brazilian midfielder Wendel from Sporting Lisbon, admitting the player's initial performances left the squad deeply unimpressed.
In a recent episode of the documentary series 'Zenit Forever,' Dzyuba shared candid memories of Wendel's difficult adjustment period. The Russian international confessed that during the first six months after his arrival, Wendel's level of play was so poor that teammates questioned the decision to sign him.
Dzyuba recalled that the team frequently joked about Wendel's struggles. He admitted to making a particularly sharp comment, claiming the club had signed 'not a Brazilian, but some drunk Indian' due to the midfielder's lackluster displays on the pitch.
The transfer, which brought Wendel from the Portuguese capital to Russia, was initially met with skepticism from within the squad. Dzyuba's remarks highlight how even high-profile signings can face immediate scrutiny when early performances fail to meet expectations.
Wendel's story, as recounted by Dzyuba, serves as a reminder of the intense pressure players face when moving to a new league and club. The Brazilian's eventual adaptation and success at Zenit stand in stark contrast to those difficult first months.
The comments were made as part of a broader retrospective on Zenit's recent history, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamics within the dressing room during a period of significant squad building.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.