From mid-table also-rans to European titans in two short
years, Sevilla FC have undergone the kind of transformation usually reserved
for fairytales under wand-waving coach Juande Ramos. So too have many
of their players, and whether that has been a cause or symptom of the
Andalusian outfit's success, a growing number of Ramos' previously unheralded
charges now command instant respect on the European stage.
While collecting winners' medals for their exploits, men like Daniel Alves,
Frederic Kanoute, Julien Escude, Luis Ernesto Chevanton, Enzo Maresca
and Christian Poulsen have also sent their careers on to the next level
after blossoming in the continental spotlight. Ramos rarely seems to put
a foot wrong in the transfer market, and the most recent rough diamond
to be polished at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is Russian striker
Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
After arriving from Zenit St. Petersburg in January, the 24-year-old international
could hardly have imagined that five months later his new team would by
now have lifted their third European trophy (two UEFA Cups and one UEFA
Super Cup) and still be in contention to win the Spanish title and the
Copa del Rey. That he himself has played an important role is less of
a surprise.
From foe to hero
Indeed, even before Ramos got a chance to work his magic, the club's fans
had already been given a taste of Kerzhakov's abilities. It was an unpleasant
experience too, as the Sevilla side destined to celebrate a first UEFA
Cup triumph suffered their only group stage defeat at the Petrovsky stadium
in November 2005. FC Zenit won that encounter 2-1, but it was their young
striker who stole the show, scoring both of the hosts' goals to cap a
scintillating display. Fate brought the two teams together again at the
quarter-final stage a few months later, and although Sevilla exacted their
revenge with a comfortable 4-1 home victory, the Russians' only strike
inevitably came courtesy of Kerzhakov.
As 2006 drew to a close, the Andalusians surveyed the horizon with both
joy and concern. Still hopeful of defending their UEFA Cup title, they
were also well-placed in La Liga and contenders in the Spanish Cup, a
tale of success that made reinforcements a necessity. Ramos turned without
hesitation to the Zenit forward who had caused his men so many problems
and the new arrival could not have been happier. "After I first saw
Sevilla, the way they play, the town and the atmosphere around the place,
I fell in love," he said. "So when I found out the club were
interested in me, I was very proud."
On the radar of sides such as Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Rennes
and Marseille, Kerzhakov gave little thought before opting to take up
the challenge in southern Spain - to the immense dismay of Zenit's supporters.
After all, he was the club's record goalscorer, having notched 95 strikes
in 205 games, including 15 in 23 European outings. He also finished top
scorer in the Russian championship in 2004, thanks to his pace, instinct
in front of goal, ability to hit the ball with both feet and prowess in
dead-ball situations: qualities that have since taken him over the 100
career-goal mark.
"Every goal is important to me," he states with pride. "Even
if it's a penalty, a goal always changes the score in your team's favour
and that's what matters most. I've scored some great goals in my career,
but they all count just the same to me."
A wink and a compliment
In Spain, Kerji has faced stiff competition for a starting berth from
Kanoute, Chevanton and Luis Fabiano, but he never fails to shine when
called upon. His first crucial intervention came against Barcelona in
March, a spectacular match in which the Blaugrana led 1-0 and held a one-man
advantage for more than 60 minutes, before succumbing to Ramos's upstarts.
Scorer of Sevilla's equaliser, Kerzhakov looks back on that evening with
fond memories. "At half-time, Ronaldinho winked at me and said I'd
played well," he recalls with a wide smile.
Having found the back of the net five times in 14 appearances (eight starts),
he has helped his new employers stay in the hunt for the Spanish title,
and perhaps never more so than against Zaragoza in late May. Drawing 1-1
at home with just two games left to contest, the Russian carved out his
side's second moments after coming off the bench and sealed the victory
by setting up Kanoute for the third. That was enough to guarantee Sevilla
a berth in the UEFA Champions League next season, as well as keeping hopes
alive of a first league title since 1946.
The Kanoute-Kerzhakov partnership has likewise flourished in continental
competition, with Tottenham made to feel their wrath in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
Shocked by the Londoners' early strike in the first leg in Seville, the
Rojiblancos soon levelled the scores through Kanoute before their Russian
hitman headed in the winner. A 2-2 stalemate in the return leg was enough
to send the Andalusians through and a few weeks later they hoisted the
trophy aloft for a remarkable second year in succession.
Unsurprisingly, Kerzhakov's feats have been followed with great interest
back home, and the man himself has not forgotten his compatriots either.
His performances for Russia have matched those that won him favour at
the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, to the extent that Guus Hiddink's side
remain on course to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008. Vying with Croatia, Israel
and England for one of two spots on offer, Russia's healthy situation
owes more than a little to Kerzhakov's recent contributions, including
a goal in the 2-0 success away to Estonia and his hat-trick in the 4-0
home win over Andorra.
Talent and ambition
Should Russia take their place in Switzerland and Austria next year, it
will mean a third international tournament for their impressive Sevillista,
and the chance to make up for previous disappointments. At barely 19 years
of age, he was granted a few minutes during a 2002 FIFA World CupT campaign
that saw Russia exit the competition without fanfare at the first hurdle,
and two years later it was a case of deja vu as they finished bottom of
their group at UEFA EURO 2004.
Buoyant once again after those dismal displays, Russia have placed their
faith in an attacking trio composed of Kerzhakov, Dmitry Sychev (23) and
Andriy Arshavin (26). Together, they have been reaping the rewards of
the experience Kerzhakov has gathered in one of the world's most prestigious
leagues, and former stalwart Andrei Kanchelskis would like to see many
more players follow his lead.
"Russian players have everything they need in Russia and so don't
travel abroad," noted the ex-Manchester United and Everton favourite.
"Because of that, it's impossible for Russia to progress. Kerzhakov
made the right choice by going to Spain and now he has the chance to get
better and show Europe his talent."
Much like his fellow countrymen Aleksandr Mostovoi and Valery Karpin,
who left such excellent impressions at Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad respectively,
Kerzhakov harbours dreams of leaving his mark in Spain. "I know people
expect a lot from me and I'm going to do everything I can to win over
the coach and the fans," he told the press, as he became the second
Russian to sign for Sevilla after legendary goalkeeper Rinat Dassaiev
in the late 1980s.
Five months on from his declaration, Kerzhakov has undoubtedly fulfilled
that aim. But, hungry for success, he went much further that day, adding
a far more ambitious goal to his list. "We're going to win the championship,"
he announced, and this weekend will tell whether he was right or not.
If talent and drive have anything to do with it, he may yet have another
medal to cherish at the end of a breakthrough season.
