Arguably the most talented prospect to emerge from Ukraine since Andriy Shevchenko. Viktor Tsygankov is a player beginning to turn a lot of scouting heads around Europe. 9 goals and 3 assists in 14 league games for Dynamo Kiev this season and two goals in their Champions League campaign has propelled Tsygankov to become arguably Ukraine’s brightest hope since the AC Milan legend.
This incredibly gifted young forward will certainly be grabbing much headlines in the coming future, not just at club level but also at international level with the delayed Euro 2020 taking place in the summer of 2021.
By then, Tsygankov will have already established himself as a major European hotshot if rumours of a big move before then are believed to be true.
His performances in Europe over the past year has been truly outstanding, and he finished last year recording some spectacular numbers, 17 goals and 8 assists in all competitions, establishing himself as Dynamo Kiev’s most influential force in front of goal.
But how has Tysgankov got to where he is right now?
This scout report will provide a brief overview of his emergence on the scene, an analysis of his role and influence on the Dynamo Kyiv team, and what he could offer potential suitors in the future.
Who is Viktor Tsygankov?
Born in Nahariya, Israel, where his father featured as a footballer. Tsygankov is a product of the Nyva Vinnystia and Dynamo Kyiv sports schools.
Tsygankov made his Kyiv debut in August 2016 in the Ukrainian Premier League against FC Stal Kamianske, and since then has been a regular feature in the Dynamo Kyiv side. During the 2018/19 campaign, he received huge acclaim for his performances, being rewarded with the Player of the Month gong on three occasions.
Almost 150 appearances for the club, 15 Ukraine caps and a catalogue of of admirers, it be quickly said that Tsygankov is currently one of the golden boys of football in Eastern Europe.
Already well-experienced in the ways of the Europa League and to a lesser extent the Champions League, Tsygankov has cut his teeth at the highest level so far, but not on a consistent basis. Week by week in the league however, he has regularly shown why he has rapidly risen to the summit of Ukrainian football in such a short space of time.
What’s so special about Tsygankov?
Very few players from Eastern Europe has or can excite fans like Viktor Tsygankov, that’s why he is arguably one of the most coveted players to emerge from that side of the continent.
An incredibly agile, skilful and technically gifted winger, Tsygankov has quickly demanded the attention and respect of his peers through his showstopping abilities and eye-catching match winning performances. The old saying of letting your feet and performances on the pitch do the talking can be applied to the Ukrainian wonderkid.
He is a player who leads by example, and there can be no complaints if a player as young as he is can captain a club as prestigious as Dynamo Kyiv. The archetypal leader is an abrasive, all-action, vocal, pitbull-like character, marshalling the team from the centre of the pitch.
Tsygankov – a right-sided winger – does not need to play up to those typical conventions. Instead, his skill and footballing gift commands the respect of those around him, regardless of seniority.
The first thing you need to know about Viktor Tsygankov is that he has a wand of a left-foot which allows him the gift to become so deadly at set-pieces situations and penalties. He is Dynamo Kyiv’s designated set-piece taker, and his abilities in such situations makes the team so dangerous at corners and free-kicks. He can either drill his free-kicks, or delicately or effortlessly place them into the path of an on-rushing teammate.
His set-piece delivery is exquisite and the sheer volume of assists he has garnered from these situations for Kyiv is evidently no coincidence. Lining up on the right of the attack, his deadly left foot is perfect for when he cuts into the half-spaces and unleash goal-scoring worldies or to play an intricate pass to his forwards. Tsygankov is far from a one-dimensional winger, from his position, he loves to make late runs into the opposition penalty area and finish off moves.
He is quick, but not exclusively in the sense that all he has is raw speed. He is intelligent and knows where to position himself at crucial times. The 23-year-old is also not afraid to take on his man, or produce something out of the ordinary. When he cuts in on that left-foot, there is a sure guarantee that something special is about to happen.
One of his notable performances so far this season, was against Spain in November scoring the winner for Ukraine, putting in a performance from the bench that surely made a few more admirers stand up and take notice. Tsygankov took his goal well too, placing a shot beyond the on-rushing David de Gea in the Spain goal.
Tsygankov holds the vision, ball control, unique skill-sets and the technique needed to be so dangerous around the final third. In the Europa League last season, he averaged 3.2 shots per game, 3.4 key passes and 1.2 dribbles showcasing his tremendous influence and understanding when conjuring chances for his teammates.
17 goals and 8 assists in all competitions last season is simply outstanding and a true testament to the kind of player Tsygankov is. He’s already followed that up with eight goals in the Ukrainian Premier League, and ten in all competitions. When faced with type counter-attacking scenario, where there is a need to pick the right opportunities and decisions, the 23-year-old is well-versed in making the right ones to create chances. He’s not the only one finishing the chances, he’s the one creating them.
Watching Tysgankov at full-throttle is incredibly enthralling. An exciting sight to behold.
What does the future hold for Tsygankov? Can he cut it at the top level?
Viktor Tsygankov is a player blessed with such unique skill-sets and wonderful technical acumen. With no disrespect to the Ukrainian division, Tsygankov is a player who’s abilities need to be in the spotlight, and he won’t get the European recognition and acclaim he gets playing in Ukraine.
Maybe, if a move doesn’t materialize for him this summer, some sparkling performances at the Euros for Ukraine will surely get him the recognition his talents warrant. Then, a whole host of top clubs will be scouring for his signature.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Tsygankov holds the personality, passion, drive, skills and talents needed to cut it at the top level. It certainly won’t be long before he’s lighting up our television screens.
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