The midfielder who arrived in 2018 on the Rock, had a complicated start. This season, the Russian is at the top of his game.
In the shape of his life. Aleksandr Golovin (26), impresses. Arrived on tiptoe in 2018 with the label of a future crack, the Russian had never really convinced in Monaco. Where others would have got rid of a player with average performance and recurring injuries, the management of Monaco trusted him, and this season the choice is paying off. Golovin should, once again, be aligned during the trip to Brest this Sunday (3 p.m.). Essestial.
The Russian environment is a driving force behind the very good Monegasque season. 3rd in Ligue 1, well on board in the Europa League after a victory at Leverkusen on Wednesday evening in the first leg, all is well for Philippe Clément’s men. And Aleksandr Golovin has a lot to do with it. The Monegasque number 17 has played 22 matches this season in Ligue 1, which makes him one of the most used players in the Monegasque ranks, for five goals scored and six assists (7e best passer). The lad from Kaltan in southern Russia is also behind Embolo’s first-ever assist of the season. With his five achievements, the darling of the Monegasque public quite simply equals his number of goals scored during the 2020/2021 season. The only downside, the Russian received four yellow cards, a sign, despite everything, of an overflowing energy.
Golovin opened the scoring against PSG. ERIC GAILLARD / REUTERS
Facing PSG a few days ago, the midfielder succeeded, once again, was brilliant with in particular four successful interceptions. His vision of spaces in depth, the quality of these centers and his dribbling will undoubtedly allow him to extend his contract on the Rock as revealed by L’Equipe.
Difficult beginnings
Chipé at CSKA Moscow for 30 million euros in 2018, Aleksandr Golovin landed in Monaco with a certain talent. But the dismissal of Leonardo Jardim, the takeover of the team by Thierry Henry, the return of the Portuguese coach a few weeks later did not help him. The Russian, without being exceptional, helped keep the club in the top flight before gaining momentum the following season. A season which will then be stopped by the health crisis and which will slow down the progress of the player. But under Niko Kovac, Golovin will become indispensable.
« Each team has its executives and Golovin is important to us. Barcelona with Messi is different from Barcelona without Messi. He’s a smart boy, but a bit introverted appreciated the coach. The same season, he will finish with five goals on the clock and nine assists in 21 matches. This season, “ Golo “, as he is nicknamed, seems, more than ever, to be at his best level and should do some damage in the Brest defense this Sunday.