Hulk & Witsel are not Messi or Ronaldo, says unhappy Denisov

Russia captain Igor Denisov has voiced his dismay with Zenit St Petersburg's policy to pay foreign stars such as Hulk and Axel Witsel higher wages than their Russian players.

The 28-year-old midfielder asked for a pay rise after the capture of the Brazil and Belgium internationals, but was demoted to the reserves rather than get the improved deal he was after, much to Denisov's dismay.

"Why would foreigners earn three times more than the best players in the team? That's why I asked for a pay rise. But I was axed by the coach instead," Denisov stated to Sport Express.

"f Hulk and Witsel were at the same level as Messi and Ronaldo it would be fine, but they are not. So why do we have this imbalance in wages then?

"It's not about money, it's about respect. I couldn't even sleep well a few nights in a row waiting for the club's decision."

Denisov then went on to stress that there's no truth in the reports suggesting that the Zenit squad is deliberately making life difficult for their new players.

"Why do people say we don't pass the ball to Hulk too often? We do. We didn't give a warm welcome to him upon his arrival? We did.

"But it's hard to communicate with him and Witsel through interpreters. They are supposed to try talking to us themselves."

Zenit have won only one out of their last six games.

I have to agree with him, you can't disrespect local players like that....and it is the imperative of foreigners to learn the language in order to communicate with locals.

what he doesn't understand is that russian players play in russia by default, foreigners only go there for the money... if hulk and witsel weren't earning more than the locals they wouldn't be there in the first place

They just got there how can they learn Russian? lol

Zealous wrote:They just got there how can they learn Russian? lol

Well they at the very least can not be like Tevez and actively avoid learning it for 5 years.

But that's not really the point.

He feels disrespected and I can see why....he's been a integral part and leader in all their successful campaigns and he's their captain, and Wtsel who really isn't even an automatic starter just yet makes 3x what he does.

That's immensely disrespectful

I mean demoting your vice captain to the reserves because he asked for equity? That just doesn't seem right.

But they just got there... like seriously.

This isn't Witsel's or Hulk's fault (although they did sign a contract). Like Che said if it wasn't for the money they wouldn't even be there. Denisov should take it up with management if he has a problem, taking a swipe at the new guys won't solve anything.

Sure Denisov should probably be treated better but making these comments doesn't garner sympathy imo.

sourgrapes by Russian players. If you are good enough and there's demand, then you'll get paid. If there's no demand, you don't get paid.

It's an open market economy. This isn't socialism/communism where everyone, regardless of age, talent, marketability, etc., get paid about the same.

They should jump for joy that these players came to their team. They automatically get more international media coverage and, if these unknown russian players are good, they could win a bigger contract somewhere because there would be demand for them. Good for the league, good for the team.

Spoken like someone who lives in a small village and doesnt like to see strangers around.

They use google translate?

Yohan Modric wrote:They use google translate?

I use that at work sometimes...saved my ass alot!

che wrote:what he doesn't understand is that russian players play in russia by default, foreigners only go there for the money... if hulk and witsel weren't earning more than the locals they wouldn't be there in the first place

This.

If players like Denisov wanted to earn more money, they'd be telling their agent to look for foreign clubs. But most Russians don't want to move abroad. And most foreign players consider going to Russia only if they get paid there more than in Western Europe.

What comes to language, I'm personally in the opinion that foreign players should not be automatically expected to learn the language of their new league. Learning a new language is difficult and to be able to have meaningful conversations in it requires, what, at least 3 years of studying it, likely more? Most football players who go to a foreign country to ply their trade cannot be sure they'll be staying there for more than a few years, so it can be difficult to get yourself motivated to learn that language.

+ Russian isnt an easy language to learn ....

What a load of rubbish lol

They may not be Messi...but they sure as hell aint Denisov or some other Russian scrub.

Hulk and Witsel are only there for the money...without it, they wouldnt be there. Obviously they are going to get considerably more...especially when they are superior players.

Whats the language dig about? Have they even been there a month? lol

Scrub player mad, dont be such a scrub then lol

And also...this guy is the captain?

Way to get united the squad and make the new guys feel welcome lol

What exactly makes Witsel better than him?

He asked for equity and got sent to the reserves lol, dunno how anyone can justify that.

On the website it says Kerzakhov has been transferred has been indefinitely transferred to the youth team as well. This is their top scorer in a league winning campaign lol...their vice captain who won them a UEFA cup 4 years ago... whose led them to multiple league titles.

That ain't how you treat the people who have brought success to your club, especially youth products and locals.


Rumors that Malafeev Anyukov and Brystov will also be going to the youth team .

God stuff, let's see how they do without them.

Witsel is better because he is better at football. Dont know what to tell you really.

Clearly if he isnt seen as that good a player they wouldnt be giving him that kind of money.

I dont care about him getting sent to the reserves, my issue is what buisness does he have complaining in such a way...and in public.

Also news flash, Bruno Alves been there 2 years and gets paid more than any of them either...why complain now?

His issue is with the club, but he is taking shots at players.

I understand what he's saying but Che hit the nail on the head, and expecting people to go to a different country for 3 weeks and know enough of the new language to drop the translator and have a conversation is a bit stupid.

denisov is actually a pretty goof player, not a drastic difference between him and witsel

Zenit payed huge money for Witsel for a reason. Does anyone honestly believe he isnt going to get huge wages to go along side it?

Communist Russians unhappy with Capitalism ffs!!!

The Franchise wrote:Witsel is better because he is better at football. Dont know what to tell you really.

Clearly if he isnt seen as that good a player they wouldnt be giving him that kind of money.

I dont care about him getting sent to the reserves, my issue is what buisness does he have complaining in such a way...and in public.

Also news flash, Bruno Alves been there 2 years and gets paid more than any of them either...why complain now?

His issue is with the club, but he is taking shots at players.

Come on....are you really trying to say that just because they're willing to pay him he's automatically better than the guy , he's getting paid because he's a foreigner and it isn't an attractive league and what not....and he's a great talent...so I have no problem with that.

But at the same time.

He's complaining publicly because he went to the board, asked for equity and they responded by demoting him to the reserves.

He shouldn't take shit like that....and Zenit should not be doing shit like that to Club legends.

As I said, lets see how far they go when they demote all their Russian players , let's see how their fans react.

It'll be entertaining.

Like I said in my first post, if Denisov really wanted a bigger pay-check, he wouldn't complain to his current club, he would complain to his agent to get him transferred to a big(gish) European club where he would get paid more. He would make himself available for clubs to compete over his services - like Hulk and Witsel did. But Denisov most likely does not want to do that. He doesn't want to move abroad (and start learning a new language lol). So his current club Zenit are in a strong position and will be asking him - out loud or silently - "what are you going to do about it?" Denisov's answer? "Well, nothing concrete, I guess..."

No, im saying he is better because he is better and Zenit also think so. Lets be real, Madrid had some level of intrest for Witsel....do you ever see them having any intrest whatsoever in Denisov?

Moreoever, the guy is taking pots shots at players when its club he has a problem with.

Great captain.

The Franchise wrote:

Moreoever, the guy is taking pots shots at players when its club he has a problem with.

Sure, that's stupid. On the other hand it's understandable that the home grown players get a bit pis**d at the club for splashing unreal money (130m) on just two new signings.

Bunch of millionaires crying for more millions. *smh*