Who is Igor Diveev? The Russian previously linked with Man Utd and Arsenal

Martin Macdonald

Updated: 24 Jan 2022 11:05 CST
5 min read

Every so often the Russian national side uncovers a gem and that seems to be the case with young centre-back Igor Diveev.

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Diveev is currently plying his trade in the Russian Premier League with CSKA Moscow, but has been getting admiring glances from some top teams in Europe.

He wouldn't be a high profile acquisition at this point in his career, but has the potential to develop into a fine centre-back at the top level.

But, what kind of player is he?

What position does Igor Diveev play?

Diveev is a central defender.

How good is Igor Diveev?

Diveev is very much in the mould of a modern centre-back in that he can play out from the back with comfort as well as get stuck in defensively.

Very proactive in his defending, he likes to push up to the halfway line and confront attackers rather than backing off.

He is formidable inside his own box, too, and in the Russian Premier League last season he ranked 10th out of every player for the amount of successful clearances.

His commanding presence has drawn, perhaps unfair, comparisons with Virgil van Dijk, and this is partly due to his huge 6ft 4in stature.

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Diveev started his career with FC Ufa before eventually completing a permanent move to CSKA Moscow, where he is now a key player.

He is also now an important member of the Russian national side and impressed at Euro 2020.

What clubs are interested in Igor Diveev?

Manchester United and Arsenal were linked with Diveev a couple of years ago and both could be on the lookout for a new centre-back in the summer so may make their interest concrete once again should he continue to develop.