A magnificent journey at Euro 2020, an excruciating path to the World Cup play-off and a shambolic performance from Ukrainian sides in Europe, while more and more Ukrainians are plying their trade outside of the domestic game. We also had two more centurions as Andriy Yarmolenko and the ever green Andriy Pyatov reached the milestone. But which individual stood out for you? It is time to crown The Donetsk Way Ukrainian Footballer of the Year 2021!
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The contenders:
Mykola Shaparenko
It has been a breakthrough year for Mykola Shaparenko. He has been a player with bags of potential but that hasn’t always shone through as he struggled to make an impact under various managers at Dynamo. That changed this year and he really grabbed his chance.
For Zbirna he featured in 17 out of a possible 19 games including in all the games at Euro 2020. He scored a memorable goal as Ukraine held World Champions France at the NSC Olympiyskyi and revitalised a midfield in the absence of misfiring Malinovskyi and Zinchenko for Olexandr Petrakovs side.
With Dynamo, he was part of a side that finally recaptured the UPL title after years of tailing in Shakhtar’s wake. He also helped the side to the double with a Cup win. He is finally realising his potential under Lucescu at Dynamo, which could see him grow into a team leader or gain a move abroad.
Roman Yaremchuk
One of the hottest Ukrainian footballing stars out there. His good form in Belgium led to a big money, high profile move to Portugal as he joined Benfica.
For Zbirna he featured in all but one game and topped the goal scoring charts for the national team with six goals. This has taken his into the top 10 Ukrainian goal scorers and at his current rate will be in the top five very quickly. He is a talisman and leader for the national team
He has been amongst the goals with his new side Benfica, including against Dynamo in the Champions Leagues. He had a blip of form, as many do, but appears to have recovered.
Artem Dovbyk
A breakout start this year. Only seasoned watchers of Ukrainian football had given Dovbyk much notice before Andriy Shevchenko included him in his squad when he made his debut in March. He only featured once at Euro 2020 but his goal against Sweden saw him become an overnight legend. He scored again for Ukraine in the win against Bosnia which secured Zbirna’s place at the World Cup play-offs.
His form for his club side Dnipro-1 has been scintillating. He has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances so far in the 2021/22 season and a big move is surely on the cards.
Andriy Shevchenko saw his talent and gave Dovbyk special attention to try help him fulfil his potential. He is now a regular in Ukraine squads and it won’t be long until we hear more from him.
Ilya Zabarnyi
After taking advantage of the Covid situation to breakthrough in 2020, Zabarnyi has continued to build his experience and performance level.
Despite being only 19 he featured in every competitive game for Ukraine in 2021. He is among the first players named in Petrakovs favoured 3 CB formation and will be a leader for Zbirna for many years to come.
At club level he continues to excel winning his first titles with Dynamo. The sky is the limit for Zabarnyi as he has more experience in the Champions League and international level than any of his contemporaries in his position.
Previously, our shortlist has listed six players, but to take the vote to Twitter, we are narrowing it down to four. This means we have had to make some difficult decisions. Some honourable mentions:
Andriy Yarmolenko, not much happens for the man at club level but he is a continuous leader and goal scorer for the national team. It is hard to imagine Zbirna without him and he continuous to close down the goal scoring record. He added another five in 2021, but just misses out on our list.
Heorhiy Bushchan had a debut to forget in 2020 for Zbirna but he has come on to impose himself as Ukraine’s number one keeper and at times been the stand out performer. Continued improvement and it won’t be long before he is on the full shortlist.
Taras Stepanenko, continuous to do what he always does for Ukraine. Only really noticed when he is missing, Stepanenko is still such a key player for Zbirna. Time is taking its toll and he struggles to play successive games in a short space of time and his absence is felt for Zbirna. Also scored a screamer against Bulgaria.
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