Russian Premier League: 2012/13 Team of the Season

Ivelin Popov - Kuban Krasnodar, midfielder; the second Kuban player included in my team, and just like Belenov, Ivelin Popov has been one of the biggest reasons behind Kuban’s highly successful 2012/2013 season.

Ivelin Popov (L)

The 25-year-old Bulgarian can play on the wing or as a supporting second striker, and he has been a real thorn in the side of many opposing defences.

He has been most effective on the left flank, finding gaps and taking advantage of them, in particular scoring a wonderful goal from a seemingly impossible angle against Anzhi on the final day of the season to guarantee European football next season.

Roman Eremenko - Rubin Kazan, midfielder; when speaking about Rubin’s midfield, Bibras Natcho may immediately spring to mind, but Roman Eremenko has proven this season in particular, that he is no less vital to the 2 time Russian champions.

Roman Eremenko (R)

With 6 goals and 8 assists to his name this season, he has been a great weapon in Rubin’s effective if not thrilling attack, and possessing the ability to unleash a wonder strike, in particular scoring a fantastic long range effort early on in the season against Zenit.

Rubin on the last day of the season managed to secure a place in the Europa League for next season, and why it may not have been a headline making season for the Tatarstani club, Eremenko has managed to force a lot of the attention onto himself.

Rasmus Elm - CSKA Moscow, midfielder; in his first season with the Muscovites he has managed to be able to call himself a Russian champion, and at the same time cemented his place at the heart of the CSKA midfield.

Rasmus Elm

His place may already be engraved in Swedish football history after scoring the equaliser in that incredible 4-4 draw against Germany. He has made a promising start to his CSKA career and has becoming one of the most reliable figures in the Army men’s midfield, with his most memorable moment: scoring one of the most important goals of the season in the 1-1 draw away to Zenit.

Yury Zhirkov - Anzhi Makhachkala, midfielder; only 29 years old although he seems to have been around forever, the Anzhi full back is still proving to be very dangerous to play against.

Yury Zhirkov (R)

While he didn’t make the grade at Chelsea, and earned more enemies than friends when moving back to Russia with Anzhi, Zhirkov has been a key figure in Anzhi’s breakout season in the Russian Premier League.

He may not be able to quite rekindle his glory days with CSKA, but on his day he is still as technically gifted and as talented as ever.