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LFC

Introduction

Hi guys, as some of you may know from general chat, I have a save with Zenit that has lasted a long time. When I started the save a while back, I was thinking of doing a story, but by the time I knew it, I had gotten to 2025/2026, so I decided against doing one. I recently went to open my save, after not playing it for a while, and it wouldn't open. After finally managing to recover it, I realized that it wasn't too late to start a story, and so I have decided to do one! This post is just to tell you a few key things. Many of the real players in game have now retired, and only a handful remain (Raheem Sterling being 30, etc.) but the old players, like usual, have taken up a career as staff members at various clubs. Secondly, Zenit are now a major force in global football. Finally, I'll tell you how I'll be updating. The updates will be large, simple, yearly updates, which will include the results, league standings, other competitions, signings, youth intake, and other key events from that season. I'll have the first update up a bit later!

PS: For regens that I signed, I will have to show them at the current date, instead of the date that they were bought.

Aaron

11 years

I take it you are starting in 2025?

Also, good luck, hope you can sick to this as I know that this save is brilliant and people will want to read for sure

LFC

11 years

2013/2014 Season

Unknown manager Adam Richards takes charge at Zenit Saint Petersburg, following the termination of Luciano Spalletti's contract. Many fans of the Blue-White-Navys are unhappy at the decision, and have stated that they would rather the chairman hire someone with more experience, who would know what to do with the huge budget on offer from the board. Will Richards perform?

Signings (Summer)

Honda, despite being signed by one of their biggest rivals, is a class player, brought in for a very cheap fee. He was in the last year of his contract, and had attracted interest from the likes of A.C. Milan before completing his move to Zenit. The stats shown above, which are over this season, prove to me that he was a good signing, and I think that the fans can see that too.

Antonio Adán was drafted in as a replacement to Zenit’s Russian goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, and on a free transfer, he was a solid signing, but he didn’t manage to play a single league game under Richards, and Yuri Lodygin and Malafeev kept their places as the first choice goalkeepers.

A consistent member of the Atlético Madrid squad in the previous season, Brazilian defender Miranda was labelled by many as a bargain for Zenit, with them paying just £4 million for him. In his first season with the Russian club, he made 25 league appearances, and scored twice, earning himself popularity with the fans.

Many fans were annoyed at Richards for the price involved in this deal, and media sources had a field day of making the young manager feel insecure. But Jelavić, despite the price, performed well for Zenit over the season, bagging over 10 goals in the league. Richards stated several times over the course of the season that Jelavić was a very hard worker in training, and that the two had developed a close friendship.

After being placed on the transfer list by Benfica, Zenit swooped in and fought off competition from Newcastle for Nicolás Gaitán’s signature. However, despite fighting hard to sign him, he only managed to play in four league games. Despite strong showings, he could never maintain a regular starting spot in the squad, and other wingers, Hulk and Danny, kept their places.

Sales (Winter)

Arshavin failed to perform following his move from Arsenal, and Zenit were able to sell him on in March, and free up his huge wage.

League Results + Table

So,Richards wins the league in his first season, defying the media’s prediction of the 25-year-old. Will there be more title wins under the Englishman? Just three losses this season is a big accomplishment

Award Winners

Best Foreigner Award - Danny, The Portuguese winger turned in some dazzling displays, scoring nine, and laying nine on for his team-mates, in 28 games. He really deserved to win some individual recognition, and even Zenit’s biggest rivals would agree.

Player of the Year, Players’ Select, Top Goalscorer - Alexandr Kerzhakov

, The Russian striker was in superb form this season, and bagged twenty league goals for his club, in thirty games. The 31-year-old also made 12 assists, showing that he isn’t just a goalscorer.

Team of the Year -

TransTeleCom Russian Supercup Result

Zenit got their season off to a fantastic start, beating close rivals CSKA Moscow in the Supercup, bagging an early trophy. Two Russian natives scored the game winning goals, and the look of delight on Richards’ face said everything. A great way to raise the curtain, and the team built on this victory to win the league.