Two-time AFC Player of the Year Server Djeparov believes Abbosbek Fayzullaev could become the closest thing to his successor in the Uzbekistan national team.
The former Uzbekistan captain said this in an interview with Yerbol Kairov, while also commenting on Fayzullaev’s move from CSKA Moscow to Istanbul Basaksehir and reports linking the midfielder with Liverpool.
“I would single out Fayzullaev. He really has a bright football mind. For many years, even when we were scouting young players for the Olympic team, he immediately caught my eye. Back then, he was a Pakhtakor player,” Djeparov said.
According to Djeparov, Fayzullaev has the qualities needed for a modern attacking midfielder.
“He is a real diamond for us, a player who can lead the team. He sees three moves ahead, has a bright mind and reads situations on the pitch very well. He is also technically very strong: he can beat an opponent, make a pass, play a through ball or deliver a key attacking pass depending on the situation,” Djeparov added.
Djeparov also assessed Fayzullaev’s move from CSKA Moscow to Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir. The former Uzbekistan captain believes the transfer should not be viewed as a step backwards.
“Every player has his own stage of development. We can only make assumptions. Maybe he was not fully comfortable there — that is something you need to ask him. But at the moment, his development is going well. He moved to a league that is not weaker than the Russian Premier League,” Djeparov said.
He stressed that the most important thing for Fayzullaev is to feel comfortable in his new environment and continue showing his potential.
“The most important thing is that he feels comfortable in that country and in that team. He is developing there. If something does not go well, then he needs to change teams or move to a higher-level club. I think after the World Cup he will receive a good offer,” Djeparov noted.
Djeparov was also cautious when asked about reports linking Fayzullaev with Liverpool.
“I do not even know whether it is true or not. Let’s wait until after the World Cup and then we will see,” he said.
Fayzullaev is a product of Pakhtakor. In 2023, he moved to CSKA Moscow, where he quickly became one of the most talked-about young players in Russian football, before continuing his career at Istanbul Basaksehir. In the Uzbekistan national team, the midfielder is now one of the key players in the attacking group.
Djeparov is one of the most decorated footballers in Uzbek history. He was named AFC Player of the Year twice, in 2008 and 2011, and played for Pakhtakor, Bunyodkor, Lokomotiv Tashkent, FC Seoul, Seongnam, Ulsan Hyundai, Al-Shabab, Sepahan and Esteghlal. He also made more than 100 appearances for the Uzbekistan national team.