Several days before starting the new season general director of FC Dinamo Tbilisi Zaza Dolidze and head coach Kakha Chkhetiani met with journalists and presented new footballers.
FC Dinamo Tbilisi presented 13 footballers: Jose Perales (number 1), Omar Migineishvili (13), Roin Kvaskhvadze (30), Luka Lochoshvili (3), Nika Sandokhadze (4), Giorgi Kutsia (21), Irakli Bughridze (22), Tornike Kapanadze (20), Tornike Akhvlediani (29), Philip Orshula (18), Ivan Trubochkin (31), Simon Gbegnon (19) and Pernambuco (17).
New head coach of the champion team accessed the camp in Turkey and spoke about the situation in the team.
Kakha Chkhetiani: It’s true that the team can’t be 100% ready when the season hasn’t started yet. On the camp the team played better and better from match to match. Young footballers had chance to show themselves. We also saw our weak sides. There are young talented and experienced footballers in our team and the we have balance.
I am satisfied with transfers. We did our best with the resources we had and strengthened exact positions. We will observe the situation during the first stage and in the middle of the season we will exactly know our weak sides and what we are obliged to do.
When I cam in the team the first with I spoke was Shulaia. I knew he wanted to leave the team. I told him that he is an important footballer for the team and we wanted him to stay. Nothing is decided yet, negotiations are still underway. If he decides to leave the team, we won’t hinder, although my opinion is that he lost time in vain.
Nika Ninua also had chance to leave, although he is still in Dinamo as you see. I think when footballer wants to leave its better to wait untill Euro arena matches and receive better conditions from better clubs. Ninua will stay in Dinamo till summer. He is our captain and we express confidence to him.
During the camp the main force of the team was outlined and these footballers are in the team now. For us every footballer is important and those who will be in the best condition will play the match. The same is on the game positions. As for Levan Mtchedlidze, he was injured and now he trains with the team. I spoke with Levan and told him to forget trauma and think about returning to the pitch. I believe in him.
On February 23 we will play Super Cup match and we will start the season. Every trophy is important for us and we will do our best to win all tournaments. FC Saburtalo is a strong team. They had many changes in winter, among footballers and in the coach staff as well. The match will be interesting for spectators,”-said Chkhetiani.
Kakha Chkhetiani also commented on Nation’s League semi-final in which Georgia will compete with Belarus. “The match with Belarus is important for the whole country. I hope our footballers do their best to achieve success.”
Zaza Dolidze: The selection system was totally changed in the team in winter. We had little time and coaches worked during 24 hours. We haven’t filled the team and after the half of the season we will work more actively in this direction. We will observe our weak sides and work on them. Unfortunately Georgian football isn’t at the stage when we can offer big sums to brilliant footballers. We will strengthen the team according to our resources,”-said Dolidze.
Representative of Dinamo’s management commented on footballers who were said to leave the team.
Akaki Shulaia wants to continue career in Europe, although till June he has contract with Dinamo. We offered him to prolong contract but he didn’t agree at this stage. We talked to him and told that we appreciate his professionalism and he is an important figure for our team.
In majority of European countries transfer window is already closed, although there are prospects to go to several countries. As he didn’t give the specific answer, we added footballers on his position. If Shulaia stays, our offer will stay in force.
As for Ninua, many teams expressed interest regarding him, but he stayed in Dinamo Tbilisi and prolonged contract till summer.
The nearest match is against FC Saburtalo on Georgian Super Cup. Fortunately the weather is good, so spectators can come and support us,”—said Zaza Dolidze.