FM24 Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov Analysis for Beşiktaş

Falling behind its rivals in the transfer race, Beşiktaş, as we write this article, announced their latest signing: Baqtiiar Zainutdinov. They haven't disclosed the fee, but according to Transfermarkt data it's around €4.5M, and the deal runs until 2027. We're here with a guide article on the player's attributes and for anyone planning a Beşiktaş career in Football Manager 2024 or looking to add Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov to their squad.

FM24 Usage and Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov's Attributes

Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov contributes a lot of dynamism through his pressing intensity, defensive support, and pace attributes. If you're not expecting a great deal of technical quality or a player who'll dictate play through the midfield with his passing, I can safely say that, especially out wide, his tempo up and down the flank will help just as much on defense as it does going forward. In particular, in back-and-forth combinations with Masuaku, he'll make it much easier for Masuaku to push forward more freely. He's a player you can drop in at left centre-back if you want to switch to a back three during a match, use as a left interior midfielder if you want a three-man midfield, and even deploy as a left winger in a fully attacking 4-2-4 setup. Those who want to use him in Football Manager 24 can also happily play him as a left winger in a 4-4-2 and get the most out of him.

Will Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov Pay Off?

It has to be said that the player isn't a direct starter for Beşiktaş. Even though his developed skills and potential stand out, it's hard to say he'll make an incredibly ready-made contribution right away. If Beşiktaş is going to focus on young players and their development, that's fine, but otherwise it wouldn't be quite right to say this move was made with the title in mind.

How Should Şenol Güneş Use Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov?

With Cenk, Rebic, and Muleka already available as options who can play as a second striker or left winger, there wasn't much logic in bringing in another wide forward, and no matter how much people try to fit him into a No. 10 role, that's not quite right either — he's really a player who can operate anywhere across the left side. At 1.85m and 77kg, Zainutdinov has the attributes to play as a left centre-back, a left interior midfielder centrally, a left winger, and, if truly needed, as a left-wing forward. Last season, in some of his appearances he played as a left centre-back, and in others as a left interior midfielder or left winger. If he's not being considered for centre-back, the most accurate use of the player should be as the left winger in a 4-4-2, and he should be utilized on both sides of the ball. With Rashica and Onur Bulut already being two good right wingers who can do this very well, when you consider a front three of Aboubakar up top with one of Muleka, Cenk, or Rebic alongside him, Zainutdinov on the left flank, Rashica on the right, and Gedson and Amir in central midfield, this setup could be very effective in matches where they want to press. This kind of structure can shift between different positions during a match without needing substitutions, and can change formation depending on how the game is going.

In particular, since Gedson, Zainutdinov, and Rashica are all players capable of a high press, combined with an aggressive forward like Rebic, sustained pressure could put a lot of strain on opponents. This way, Amir Hadziahmetovic can build play more comfortably and be used more optimally by carrying less of the defensive workload in midfield. Although the foreign-player rule in the Turkish league makes some lineup changes a necessity, using Zainutdinov in the left-wing position will be the right call for him.

Once we get to watch the player with our own eyes in the league, we'll have a much better chance to assess him properly.

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