Amir Batyrev

[canadianbacons]

2002 Midfielder playing for PFC Sochi in Russian Premier League.  Has made 2 appearances off the bench so far this season.  Big step up from Russian 3rd tier where he was last season. Deserves his own thread if he is playing in a decent tier 1 European league.

https://www.transfermarkt.us/amir-batyrev/profil/spieler/951293

 

 

[Corazon]

I had just started creating this thread.  It also helps that he is a central midfielder as we still could use some depth there.  Unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it.  Transfermarkt has him listed as primarily an attacking midfielder.

Born in Toronto but like most of our players, he is a dual national.  Parents are from Russia.

Edited August 15, 2022 by Corazon

[VinceA]

He's been part of Jazic's U15 camps so looks like he's known to the CSA. Wonder if Herdman is already keeping tabs on him.

[MauditYvon]

Sochi finished 2nd last season. They seem to be a really good team, and they play in a beautiful stadium. Never heard of them before last month, probably because they were founded in 2018. Well, it's a little bit more complex, from what I understand FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg relocated to Sochi, but still exist. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PFC_Sochi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Dynamo_Saint_Petersburg

Edited August 16, 2022 by MauditYvon

[VinceA]

 

Started in the cup today and looks like he's gotten his first goal for Sochi

 

edit: Looks like he started on the right of a diamond midfield.

Edited September 14, 2022 by VinceA

[Corazon]

It looked like the fast break had died.  But a quick cut inside and a great finish from Batyrev put Sochi up 1-0.  Unfortunately, they lost 3-1.

https://streamja.com/eEVgq
 

 

Edited September 14, 2022 by Corazon

[InglewoodJack]

Torpedo just got promoted to the RSL, so they’re not a bad team at all. I hope the NT is keeping their eye on this kid. If we lose a promising dual national whose other nation can’t even play in world competitions for the next little while, that’ll be such a fumble. A kid starting in the RSL is a very good sign, I hope he makes a move abroad in the Not to distant future though.
 

[dyslexic nam]

7 minutes ago, InglewoodJack said:

I hope the NT is keeping their eye on this kid.

“Canada Soccer gives equal opportunity to those playing in the Russian League”

  - Richlord Ennin

[InglewoodJack]

Just now, dyslexic nam said:

“Canada Soccer gives equal opportunity to those playing in the Russian League”

  - Richlord Ennin

I mean, I don't think Richie Ennin was good enough for a call up earlier this year, and that was also at the time where everything from Russia, down to touring musicians were being banned in Canada, so unless Ennin is the next superstar, it wouldn't be worth the headache for a team that caused a national incident with the Iran friendly. I think the complete ban of everything Russian has softened in recent time, but also, I'm assum,ing he will eventually more on from Sochi if he's good enough too.

Edited September 14, 2022 by InglewoodJack

[narduch]

It would probably be a logistical nightmare to call him un right now 

[VinceA]

4 minutes ago, narduch said:

It would probably be a logistical nightmare to call him un right now 

At the same time there's no Russia for him to play for either as they're inactive for obvious reasons. Not that he's even on their radar at the moment.

[dyslexic nam]

13 minutes ago, InglewoodJack said:

I mean, I don't think Richie Ennin was good enough for a call up earlier this year, and that was also at the time where everything from Russia, down to touring musicians were being banned in Canada, so unless Ennin is the next superstar, it wouldn't be worth the headache for a team that caused a national incident with the Iran friendly. I think the complete ban of everything Russian has softened in recent time, but also, I'm assum,ing he will eventually more on from Sochi if he's good enough too.

I think there was a time when he was doing well enough in the Russian top flight to justify giving him a look.  Not saying he should have been brought into WCQ games but it seemed like he would have been worth assessing up close.   

[InglewoodJack]

2 minutes ago, dyslexic nam said:

I think there was a time when he was doing well enough in the Russian top flight to justify giving him a look.  Not saying he should have been brought into WCQ games but it seemed like he would have been worth assessing up close.   

A look, yeah, and I think that he certainly would've been in the conversation with guys like Corbeanu (when he was very uneven for MK Dons), Jayden Nelson, Mitrovic, ZBG, etc. where it's like, take him or leave him, but unfortunate for him, beyond playing in Russia, he's not a threat to commit elsewhere, so not really a reason to give him a roster spot. If he was playing for a similar team in Belgium or maybe even Turkey, I think we're having a different conversation. He's been looking solid in Hungary this year, I still think he deserves to be monitored, if he takes a step, he'll definitely be in the fold.

[Buchta]

https://www.euro-football.ru/article/29/1005006978_futbolist_sochi_batyirev_rasskazal_o_vyibore_mejdu_sbornyimi_kanadyi_i_rossii

A short interview about his options with Russia and Canada.

[jordan]

 

[VinceA]

I'd like to think he's more likely to want to play for Canada since if he chooses Russia he won't be doing much considering the team can't do anything official these days.

[Xavier.]

Looks like Amir Batyrev might have a breakout season in the Russian first division. Has started 3 out of 5 games and came of the bench for the other 2. Plays in the midfilder definitely one to keep on eye on.

[Jack1997]

Seems like a good prospect in a position of need but doubt he’ll even get a sniff of the NT unless he leaves Russia

[Jack1997]

On 2/5/2023 at 10:40 AM, Buchta said:

https://www.euro-football.ru/article/29/1005006978_futbolist_sochi_batyirev_rasskazal_o_vyibore_mejdu_sbornyimi_kanadyi_i_rossii

A short interview about his options with Russia and Canada.

Also does anyone else kinda see this as wanting to play for Canada? Living in playing in Russia would Restrain you from saying anything like “I only want to play for Canada” but the fact that he didn’t shut it down is quite interesting to me.

[Kadenge]

3 minutes ago, Jack1997 said:

Also does anyone else kinda see this as wanting to play for Canada? Living in playing in Russia would Restrain you from saying anything like “I only want to play for Canada” but the fact that he didn’t shut it down is quite interesting to me.

Just a standard stock answer that many players use. Never seen him play, but if he has quality, its harsh to shut him out because of where he plays. He's just trying to earn a living and get his pro career going. Perhaps one of our Canadian teams can sign him?

[CanadaFan123]

29 minutes ago, Jack1997 said:

Also does anyone else kinda see this as wanting to play for Canada? Living in playing in Russia would Restrain you from saying anything like “I only want to play for Canada” but the fact that he didn’t shut it down is quite interesting to me.

Of course he wants to play for Canada. Russia isn’t even currently a national team while we’re already qualified for 2026. 

[Obinna]

1 hour ago, Jack1997 said:

Seems like a good prospect in a position of need but doubt he’ll even get a sniff of the NT unless he leaves Russia

Shamar Nicholson plays for Spartak Moscow still as far as I know and it hasn't impacted his involvement with Jamaica in CONCACAF. He recently played for them in the Gold Cup. Why must this guy leave Russia to get a sniff of our NT?

What is the difference between us and Jamaica? We both play in CONCACAF. The travel is basically the same. The level of both pools is basically the same (I think we are better and deeper, but they've done some great recruiting lately). 

[SthMelbRed]

13 minutes ago, Obinna said:

Shamar Nicholson plays for Spartak Moscow still as far as I know and it hasn't impacted his involvement with Jamaica in CONCACAF. He recently played for them in the Gold Cup. Why must this guy leave Russia to get a sniff of our NT?

What is the difference between us and Jamaica? We both play in CONCACAF. The travel is basically the same. The level of both pools is basically the same (I think we are better and deeper, but they've done some great recruiting lately). 

While Canada is not at war with Russia, we have clearly come down on the side of Ukraine in this one. I'm not sure what Jamaica's diplomatic position is on the Russian invasion of a sovereign neighbour.

[Obinna]

1 minute ago, SthMelbRed said:

While Canada is not at war with Russia, we have clearly come down on the side of Ukraine in this one. I'm not sure what Jamaica's diplomatic position is on the Russian invasion of a sovereign neighbour.

Good point. Canada is part of NATO (which is at War with Russia for all intents and purposes). Jamaica is not part of NATO, so that's a potential difference. 

Still, are we that entrentched in the conflict that our national team players cannot play in that division (RPL)? 

Netherlands are a NATO member and as a Western European country who I assume are more involved than we are, though I could be mistaken. Quincy Promes still plays for them, although his calls to the Dutch NT dried up in 2021. Not sure how much of that is just football though. Netherlands are a damn good team. 

Another example - Christopher Martins. Very much part of the Luxenbourg setup and playing for Spartak Moscow. Luxenbourg are a NATO member.

All of that said, maybe there'd be a combination of travel and geopolitics that would keep Amir off the Canadian radar, but am not convinced of that theory at the moment. On paper he should be considered and we need depth so hopefully playing in the RPL isn't a strike against him. It's a good level for a team like Canada. 

[Shway]

Coaching staff just doesn't rate RPL @Obinna... because if they did Ennin would've got a call when he was performing there and when we were thin up top.