Coaches opt for Shirokov as Russia’s best player

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Published time: December 12, 2012 11:33
Edited time: December 12, 2012 22:00

The Russian football coaches have named Zenit’s midfielder, Roman Shirokov as the country’s best player in 2012.

­The survey called “Player of the Year: Coaches’ Choice” was organized by one of Russia’s leading sporting websites, Sportbox.ru.

14 Premier League managers as well as the head of the Russian Coaches Union, Vladimir Gershkovich voted – with only Zenit’s boss, Luciano Spalletti, and Anzhi’s Guss Hiddink refusing to participate.

Each trainer had to submit his Top 3 of the year, regardless of the footballer’s club, nationality or position on the pitch.

The candidates received three points for being ranked first, two points for a second place and a single point for third.  

As a result, Shirokov has topped the list with 17 points, while the second spot was shared by his Zenit teammate, Igor Denisov, and Samuel Eto’o from Anzhi.

Roman Shirokov contributed greatly to Zenit winning the 2011/12 championship, not only netting the golden goal, but also being the mastermind of the most of his side’s attacks.

The 31-year-old was on Russia's squad for Euro 2012 (where he scored once in the 4-1 win against the Czech Republic) and remains on the national team under new coach, Fabio Capello.

Shirokov’s stats in the current season are four goals and two assists in 15 appearances.

The midfielder is also known for his straightforwardness off the pitch with a popular and scandalous Twitter account on Russian football.

Player of the Year: Coaches’ Choice:

1. Roman Shirokov (Zenith) 17 points
2. Igor Denisov (Zenit) 11 points
    Samuel Eto'o (Anzhi) 11 points
4. Igor Akinfeev (CSKA) 9 points
5. Keisuke Honda (CSKA) 8 points
6. Alan Dzagoev (CSKA) 6 points
7. Sergey Narubin (Amkar) 4 points
8. Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo) 4 points
9. Axel Witsel (Zenit) 3 points
10. Sergey Ignashevich (CSKA) 3 points

Russia's Roman Shirokov in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. Russia vs. Azerbaijan. (RIA Novosti/ Vitaliy Belousov)

Zenit St. Petersburg's Roman Shirokov, left, against Milan's Riccardo Montolivo in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League's group stage match. (RIA Novosti / Alexey Kudenko)

Member of the Russian national football team Roman Shirokov pictured outside the Krasnye Kholmy Hotel where the team live during a training camp in Moscow. (RIA Novosti / Vladimir Pesnya)