Kolyvanov: Chelsea have unsettled Zakharyan - like Crystal Palace and Chalov | OneFootball

Former Dynamo Moscow and Bologna winger Igor Kolyvanov says Chelsea's interest has knocked Arsen Zakharyan off his game.

Chelsea wanted to sign the Dynamo Moscow winger over the summer, but financial sanctions against Russia blocked the deal. However, there's hope of resuming talks in January.

Kolyvanov told RT: "Of course, the whole affair with Chelsea affected Arsene negatively. Fedor Chalov can be mentioned as a similar example in Russian football. Remember what happened to him after the failed transfer to Crystal Palace in 2018.

"At that time, he was the top scorer of the RPL, and after that he had a disastrous season and struggled for a long time. The same is happening with Zakharyan. It is clear that only one thing can be advised to him: focus on football and not read the news.

"But it's unrealistic to be completely focused when you are under pressure from all sides and constantly asked questions on this topic."