Gennady Orlov: Wendel Let Zenit Down — There’s No Need for His Return

Renowned football journalist and expert Gennady Orlov commented on the situation concerning Zenit’s midfielder Wendel. The Brazilian failed to report for the team’s summer training camp, marking a recurring issue.

«At this point, he doesn’t even need to come back. Last season, he wasn’t fully committed on the field. One might excuse him due to injuries, but what do we say about his red card? I pointed this out back then: a professional shouldn’t display such behavior, knowing the consequences. What does that represent? He should think about the team! His actions let the team down. Similarly, Paredes, as the team captain, received 11 yellow cards, and Mancini overlooked it. You’re key players, and you’re still letting the team down. If you’re a civilized person, you should manage your selfish impulses and rise above.»

Earlier this year, Wendel faced a suspension for excessive arguing with referees, causing him to miss a match against CSKA. Later, he received a suspension for an incident in Voronezh and was consequently sidelined for the game against Spartak! As a result, Zenit dropped crucial points. It’s essential to focus on preventing such situations from repeating. Wendel has disappointed the team, so his return is unnecessary,» Orlov stated in a conversation with Championship correspondent Oleg Lysenko.