To those who care about Starikov, maybe it is time to be worried. He didn't get any time in either of the 3 games in the second camp in Turkey, and now he's not joining the team in their third camp in Turkey. I'm guessing he either had a setback or is recovering very slowly from his injury. Meanwhile, Tom' is having a bunch of forwards on trial, so he might not get a lot of PT even when he recovers.
So the reason Starikov is nowhere to be seen is that he has (re-?)injured himself. According to this article from February, he underwent surgery on his hip ligament? (I'm not very good at translating Russian anatomy words). He is expected to miss the rest of the season since recovery time is about 4 months. http://www.gazeta.ru/sport/news/2014/02/11/n_5939069.shtml
So I guess I missed this, but Tom' got relegated to the National Football League. They have started their season in the 2nd division already and have 3 points in 3 games (not a good start). As for Eugene, he seems to be in limbo. He's not on the team's roster on their website, because I guess his loan is over. He's not on the Zenit website either. The Tom' team president spoke about their loan players briefly on June 4th. He said this about Eugene: (my translation) "Eugene Starikov now is still recovering, so his future will become clear later." http://fctomtomsk.ru/ru/news/press/...-v-tomi-peterburgskikh-futbolistov-2014-06-04
The only thing I could find is that he's apparently in Miami. Not sure if he's recovering, training, out of soccer, or what. On the FC Tom' Tomsk website they have an interview with the player Evgeni Bashkirov from Dec 16th, where hesays he is going to the USA for his winter holidays. He mentions he is going to Miami where "there will be a lot of footballers, like Zhenya Starikov." http://fctomtomsk.ru/ru/news/press/...v-ssha-govorili-chto-zachem-nafiga-2014-12-16
Boom. Look no more. Eugene has resurfaced and is training/trialing with Bob Bradley and Staebek in La Manga.
As an FYI, Zhenya is a withdrawn striker or a central attacking midfielder. He wasn't quick/big/strong enough to play wide in the RPL. And, if AJ Soares can sign with Viking, then IMO, Starikov can do a midtable Norway club too ... provided he is healthy.
Played the 2nd half against Bodø/Glimt (1-1) in a friendly in La Manga, Spain. According to those who watched the match, Starikov was very rusty and lost possession frequently. Of course, he's probably still got some jet lag from flying over from Miami.
He hasn't played much for a couple of years. And he arguably hasn't played at all for close to a year. On the other hand, off his photos, he seems to be in a decent shape ....
Starikov is training with Odd Grenland this week. I haven't heard anything about Stabæk still being interested after his trial there.
Odd finished 3rd last season in Tippeligaen, which would be an improvement from Stabaek. In the olden days of 2006-07, when they were known as Odd Grenland, they were home to a very bearded Nat Borchers. These days, they employ an almost MLS'er Olivier Occean.
We have a Eugene Starikov sighting! He scored a goal in Chornomorets' 1-1 draw to Hoverla in Ukraine today.— Over There (@socceroverthere) September 20, 2015
Signed on Sept 8th. One year deal, with an option (don't know whose). http://www.chernomorets.odessa.ua/club/news/8685/
Wait....awesome Russian/Ukranian pun coming up: The Old Man and the Sea: Eugene Starikov at Chornomorets (Starik = "old man;" Chornomorets = "of the Black Sea")