Adebayor and Bystrov: A Tale of Two Players Who Left for Greener Pastures

Sergey Zikov by Senior Analyst Written on September 16, 2009
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 07:  Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal is congratulated by Manager of Arsenal Arsene Wenger during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Villarreal and Arsenal at the Madrigal Stadium on April 7, 2009 in Villarreal, Spain.  (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

On July 18, Arsenal star forward Emmanuel Adebayor decided to sign with cash-rich Manchester City for a reported £25 million, a contract that would keep him with City for five years.

But the true boiling point for Arsenal came this past weekend, when Adebayor faced his former club for the first time, scoring in a 4-2 victory in front of the home fans.

His goal celebration, as it has already became infamous, had many Arsenal fans utterly enraged, to say the very least.

Now imagine the thought of Adebayor returning to Arsenal in three or four years of tormenting his former club. Would the Gunners accept him back into their ranks? Should they accept him back, if he expressed a desire to once again play for Arsene Wenger?

For each individual, the reaction could be completely different. Some may say yes, if Arsenal is struggling and they feel as if Adebayor would give their team a boost in the table. Some would protest adamantly against the move, feeling he has done enough damage and they do not want him back.

For Zenit St. Petersburg, we already know the reaction.

In the summer of 2005, local talent Vladimir Bystrov was sold by the club to archrival Spartak Moscow, a move that had many fans outraged. Bystrov was a favorite of many, and as he was only 21 at the time of the move; he certainly had the potential to improve greatly.

His first game against his former club followed a similar plot as Adebayor, just not so dramatic.

Bystrov wasn't disliked immediately, as it was not his choice to go to Spartak. But his actions quickly made him a hated man. He would point to the Spartak logo on his jersey, kiss it, and do his absolute best to draw cards against his former teammates.

This new-look Spartak side jumped ahead of Zenit and several other teams to finish second in the league. Bystrov also led Spartak to second-place finishes in the next two years as well, including a Champions League Group Stage berth in 2006-07.

bystrov1

Bystrov and manager Valeri Karpin celebrate.

However, on Aug. 27 of 2009, Bystrov was signed by Zenit St. Petersburg on a five-year contract.

Zenit had gone through a very rough summer, losing its coach, captain, and leading goal-scorer in a matter of weeks. The team also lost playmaking midfielder Danny early in the season, when an injury forced him out of action.

The club was slumping badly and had only won once in the previous five matches, including losses to cellar-dwellers Tom Tomsk and Terek Grozny, as well as a draw with 10-man Rubin Kazan at home.

It was time for divine intervention.

So, the club responds by giving caretaker Anatoliy Davydov several new weapons, including Torino captain Alessandro Rosina, former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, and Bystrov.

The fans were very pleased with Rosina and Kezman. Especially Rosina, who earned his own nickname after the first match and was named Player of the Month in August, despite being a second-half substitute in nearly every game.

The reaction to Bystrov, however, has been almost at the point of a civil war between fans.

Bystrov's first game back in a Zenit uniform was against one of the worst teams in the Russian Premier League, Khimki. Although the game was played in the Moscow suburb, many Zenit fans made the trip to show their displeasure toward the re-signing.

bystrov3

Ten men in blue. You can guess who the 11th is.

Many fans brought signs displaying messages of hatred. Many fans also booed him any time he touched the ball. They also harshly booed him after he scored Zenit's second goal of the game, giving the Sine-Byelo-Goluboy a 2-0 advantage. After seeing these actions, the club, Bystrov, and other fans had words of choice.

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Vote Now! - Author Poll

If a player left your favorite club for a rival, would you be able to accept him back in the future?

  • Yes, of course
  • Maybe
  • No way
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Results - Author Poll

If a player left your favorite club for a rival, would you be able to accept him back in the future?

  • Yes, of course

    13.2%
  • Maybe

    23.7%
  • No way

    63.2%
  • Total votes: 38
(2)
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written on September 16, 2009 Opinion

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