Ones to Watch: Denis Cheryshev could be on the move again

Today’s feature is on someone who has made a lot of headlines this season but not how he would’ve liked. Denis Cheryshev returned to Real Madrid after a very successful loan spell at fellow La Liga side Villarreal, who tried to sign him permanently in the summer, but the Russian international wanted an opportunity to prove himself in the Spanish capital. Sadly it hasn’t worked out for him and an administrative error meant his appearance for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey caused them to be eliminated.

Denis was born in Russia but as his father, Dimitri Cheryshev, who was also a professional footballer playing for Sporting Gijon and Burgos, he spent most of his childhood in Spain. At the age of 11 he was awarded the opportunity to join Real Madrid’s Castilla and finished his formation as a junior there.

Cheryshev has represented Russia from U15 level through to the senior side although he admitted back in 2013 that he felt “more Spanish than Russian”. Cheryshev told MARCA, “I’ve lived in Spain since I was 5 and I feel more Spanish than Russian.” He admitted it was a difficult decision to choose Russia over Spain. “I was born in Russia so I think I should play for them, but I always say that I’m Spanish too because that’s how I feel.”

After impressing for Real Madrid’s reserve team he made his debut for the senior side in the Copa del Rey against Alcoyano at the end of 2012. Just as Denis was beginning to feel he might get his chance the following season as he and Jese were promoted to the main squad, Real Madrid signed Gareth Bale and retained the services of Angel di Maria. It was decided a loan move to a fellow La Liga side would be ideal for his development.

Sevilla were his chosen destination. “My first choice was to stay at Real Madrid but at 22 it’s necessary to get minutes under my belt.” Carlos Ancelotti had been impressed by the Russian’s performances in preseason and actually wanted to keep him as back-up to Marcelo but understood the player’s wish to play more. The loan move didn’t include an option to buy. It didn’t go to plan for Denis as he missed almost the entire campaign through injury, only managing to feature in 5 games (playing just 125 minutes).

He returned to Real Madrid in much the same position as he left it. An injury-plagued season didn’t strengthen his case for a place in the first team squad so he was forced to seek another loan, this time at Villarreal.

Cheryshev felt he had a point to prove and got off to the perfect start, scoring the crucial second goal against local rivals Levante on the opening day of the season. The Russian had a wonderful first few months at the Yellow Submarines as he scored 2 goals and made 8 assists in his 15 appearances for the club. Sadly towards the end of March he suffered a hamstring injury which would prematurely end what had been an impressive campaign at Villarreal. The club only won 3 of the 12 games in his absence, underlining how crucial Cheryshev had been for them.

Once again his loan deal hadn’t included an option to buy clause so the player returned to Real Madrid. His performances at Villarreal hadn’t gone unnoticed by those at his parent club and with a new manager at the helm in Rafa Benitez, Denis saw this as the perfect time to establish himself at Madrid. After playing week in, week out for Villarreal he wasn’t keen on being a second string member of the squad. “This is a game and if you don’t play, what’s the point?” he told El Pais. Villarreal, Valencia and Liverpool all made their interest known in the winger but between the player and his current club, they decided to reject them in favour of staying.

Sadly it hasn’t worked out as planned for Denis at Real Madrid as his dream is slowly becoming a nightmare. He’s made a combined 5 appearances in the Champions League and La Liga but that only adds up to a measly 72 minutes in total.

He did play in another match for Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, 45 minutes in fact, but he shouldn’t have. He was actually suspended for the game after picking up his 3rd yellow card for Villarreal in last year’s semi-final match against Barcelona. Real Madrid assumed it had been wiped off as certain suspensions are over the course of the summer but Denis’ wasn’t one of them. His inclusion resulted in Real Madrid being thrown out of the competition, much to the annoyance of the club’s top brass and fans.

The error hasn’t caused his lack of playing time and I understand there have been no repercussions or blame placed at the feet of Cheryshev. That doesn’t change the fact the player, after expecting to feature a lot more, wants to move on in January. There are no shortage of interested parties and his former coach at Villarreal, Marcelino, has indicated the Russian would be keen on a return to the side he faired so well at last year.

“I don’t know if he’ll end up as a ‘Yellow’, it depends on everyone reaching an agreement,” Marcelino told SER Deportes. “Denis will leave because he wants to and I believe he wants to come here, but it’ll be Real Madrid who ultimately decide.” When asked if the current fallout over Real Madrid’s elimination from the Copa del Rey, where they accused Villarreal of not informing them of the suspension, could affect the move Marcelino was unsure.

Denis Cheryshev has all the tools to succeed but he needs to find the right stage to perform on. You can admire his confidence for wanting to stay at Madrid and push for a place in the first team picture but he should’ve known that it doesn’t come down to just ability there but politics as well. You need someone in your corner, ideally Florentino Perez, or you’re on a hiding to nothing. Cheryshev will always be considered a back-up at Real Madrid regardless of what he does on or off the pitch, the same as what happened to Alvaro Morata before him.

With pace to burn, tricks galore and as someone not daunted by the physical side of the game he could add extra impetus to any side hovering below the elite. He does need to add more goals to his game as he’s traditionally an unselfish player, providing plenty of assists for Luciano Vietto when the two were at Villarreal. His technical skills are superb as you’d come to expect from a child brought through the ranks in Spain, even more so as most of his years were spent at Real Madrid. Comfortable bombing forward at lightning pace or standing up to a defender and trying to outfox him with skills, he’s a remarkably self-confident person. Some larger sides might be put off by his injury problems as was the case in the summer, plus Real Madrid’s asking price wasn’t cheap then either.

It’ll be interesting to see if Real Madrid offer him out on loan in an attempt to drum up interest in the player to get the price they want next summer or if they’ll cut their losses and sell him on the cheap but to a side who are willing to accept a buyback clause.

Under the right conditions he could be the best available player in January.