Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Giorgi Sudakov is preparing for a special summer. Having scored seven goals and provided three assists this season, the Ukrainian midfielder has helped put Shakhtar on the brink of a domestic double.
Two of these goals came in the Ukrainian Cup semi-final in a 4-1 win over Chornomorets Odesa and both showcased Sudakov’s prodigious talent.
Pace, poise and precision are all part of his game. Shaktar will now face Vorskla on May 15 to try and claim the Ukrainian Cup for the 14th time. They are also on course to win the Ukrainian Premier League for the 15th time, thus defending the title Sudakov won last season.
Sudakov’s idol is Man City ace Phil Foden
21-year-old Sudakov is a ball dribbler, who relishes a mazy run, and has the composure to either pick a pass or find a finish. So it’s perhaps no surprise one of his main inspirations is Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
“Now [my idol] is Phil Foden,” Sudakov told CaughtOffside. “I really like the way he plays. He is an incredible footballer. I also like Luka Modric very much, and I can highlight a third player – Andres Iniesta.”
One of Sudakov’s highlights this season was scoring against Iniesta’s former club Barcelona in the Champions League. He also dispatched a penalty at the Stade Velodrome in February in Shakhtar’s Europa League knockout-round playoff against Marseille.
And Sudakov has shone for his country as well, playing 90 minutes in their emotional Euro 2024 playoff victory over Iceland, which saw his close friend Mykhailo Mudryk score the winner to send Ukraine to Germany this summer.
Giorgi Sudakov and Mykhailo Mudryk
“Mykhailo is an incredibly talented and hard-working person,” said Sudakov, who is also expected to be named in Ruslan Rotan’s Olympics squad. “I am sure he has all the amazing qualities necessary to eventually win the Ballon d’Or.
“Qualifying for Euro 2024 is an incredible achievement for the entire national team, and for our…
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