Islam Chesnokov - it’s official

[Hømme]

1 hour ago, Perth to Paisley said:

Wasted 5 month then!

 

Sitting top of the league and saved about 500k. Was a good decision in the end.

[Smithian]

1 hour ago, Perth to Paisley said:

Wasted 5 month then!

They finished #5 and #8 preceding years and just won the domestic cup. I bet their supporters are glad he stuck around, and let's remember FC Tobol fans think their club is most important in the world, same as we think Hearts are top in the world.

 

 

[tiger Rudi]

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

What a team that looks. Can't decide who plays in the middle with Ageu. 

 

Kerjota, Kabangu, Kabore and Wilson, all ready to step up when needed. McEntee, Magnussen, Hoff for midfield. McCart, Kingsley, Steinwender, Kent, Gordon.

 

Best squad depth I've ever seen at Hearts! All players mentioned could be added to the starting 11 at any time. 

Imagine if we got Kenzhebek as well 😂

[Perth to Paisley]

17 hours ago, Smithian said:

They finished #5 and #8 preceding years and just won the domestic cup. I bet their supporters are glad he stuck around, and let's remember FC Tobol fans think their club is most important in the world, same as we think Hearts are top in the world.

 

 

Actually, I was only looking at it from our perspective. [selfish]

With good luck he will be optimum from January 1st but just imagine how good we would  be had he arrived earlier

Harry haà done a good job but he's no Chesny!

[Absolute Scenes]

18 hours ago, Hømme said:

 

Sitting top of the league and saved about 500k. Was a good decision in the end.

I have been more vocal than anyone on my frustrations on by getting chez in sooner - but considering where we are sitting and our net spend, it’s amazing that we technically didn’t miss him, so a positive outcome all round. Getting him for free, match ready - He can also surely only improve us when he comes in. Very exciting

[boag1874]

11 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

What a team that looks. Can't decide who plays in the middle with Ageu. 

 

Kerjota, Kabangu, Kabore and Wilson, all ready to step up when needed. McEntee, Magnussen, Hoff for midfield. McCart, Kingsley, Steinwender, Kent, Gordon.

 

Best squad depth I've ever seen at Hearts! All players mentioned could be added to the starting 11 at any time. 

Imagine if we got Kenzhebek as well 😂

That's your starting lineup come January IMO. 

[RustyRightPeg]

19 hours ago, Perth to Paisley said:

Wasted 5 month then!

Not really. We haven’t suffered, have we? 
 

Why would we pay an amount we don’t consider fair? 

[nick_3892]

11 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

What a team that looks. Can't decide who plays in the middle with Ageu. 

 

Kerjota, Kabangu, Kabore and Wilson, all ready to step up when needed. McEntee, Magnussen, Hoff for midfield. McCart, Kingsley, Steinwender, Kent, Gordon.

 

Best squad depth I've ever seen at Hearts! All players mentioned could be added to the starting 11 at any time. 

Imagine if we got Kenzhebek as well 😂

we nearly have another full 11 waiting to help when injuries and suspensions start to increase.

[kila]

At what point do we get money for Chesnokov getting called up? From start of November?

[dumpson]

The thought of this lad on one side and Kyzi on the other, most talented Hearts side in my lifetime ! 🤯

[tian447]

On 23/10/2025 at 00:19, jamboinglasgow said:

(the next two sections I have used google translate, so one or two bits dont sound quite right)

 

"In Scotland, football is like a religion, and Edinburgh is home to the strongest football fans. There's one thing Chesnokov needs to know: no matter who you lose to, you can't let Hibernian down. He has to win this derby, even if he gives his all on the field (laughs). They don't like sissy players here, no matter how much they knock you down, you have to be a man."

 

It might have been slightly mistranslated so it sounds a bit dodgy:

 

From the original Kazakh, it says "жол бермеу керек" which means "Should not be allowed".  So, no matter who you lose to, [losing to] Hibernian should not be allowed.

Regardless, it's crystal clear what Miko meant and that he 100% gets it

 

 

[DxB Hearts]

13 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

              Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

               Devlin Ageu 

               

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

That team is absolutely unreal by the way. We’ll score so so so many goals if Chesnokov is as advertised. 
 

Right back is still obviously up in the air but even just stick McEntee in there and we’ll be fine defensively. 
 

Bloody exciting times. 

[Byyy The Light]

14 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

 

 

That's the 2026 Scottish Cup Final winning starting 11 right there.

 

 

[Niemi’s gloves]

Just wondering if the title of this thread could be changed to avoid the lad’s first name. Getting a bit fed up with pop up adverts asking “have you paid Zakat” . 
 

 

[vegas-voss]

On 23/10/2025 at 08:32, Chimp said:

 

I actually wonder what it is that McInnes feels is the reason he isn't ready. Like which side of his game is it that's preventing him from being given more minutes. He's always looked good in his brief cameos and Gordon saying things like he reckons he'll become a fan favourite, it would be interesting to know what he needs to do to get up to speed.

 

Certainly been more lively and more of a threat than Forrest but is behind him in the pecking order. 

 

I think Forrest comes on for more defensive reasons.Usually a change in shape when he comes on.

[DG_HMFC]

On 23/10/2025 at 16:29, Perth to Paisley said:

Having watched him twice (2×90min) for KHASIKSTAN I think he's going to be our star signing 

 

[Only seen highlights of Ague]

 

He'll be our second best player behind Ageu.

[soonbe110]

10 hours ago, dumpson said:

The thought of this lad on one side and Kyzi on the other, most talented Hearts side in my lifetime ! 🤯

Presume you are a teenager? 

[Regular John]

23 hours ago, tiger Rudi said:

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

Looks good on the surface, but I'd be amazed if McInnes ever started with such an attacking-minded side.

[BigStein]

3 minutes ago, Regular John said:

Looks good on the surface, but I'd be amazed if McInnes ever started with such an attacking-minded side.

I don’t think it’s far off what we’ll be going for. The manager likes the 4-4-2 and Ageu and Chesnokov are no soft touch

[Morgan]

26 minutes ago, soonbe110 said:

Presume you are a teenager? 

Yes, I thought that too.

[RustyRightPeg]

11 hours ago, kila said:

At what point do we get money for Chesnokov getting called up? From start of November?

1st January. He isn’t our player until then.

[Hømme]

27 minutes ago, Morgan said:

Yes, I thought that too.

 

Early days. They very well could be.

[KariHMFC]

7 hours ago, soonbe110 said:

Presume you are a teenager? 

Don’t think it is that ridiculous a shout. 

[boag1874]

7 hours ago, RustyRightPeg said:

1st January. He isn’t our player until then.

Isn’t it the case that he will be our player once his deal at Tobol ends next weekend but we just can’t register him to play until Jan? He’ll still be able to join up with the squad ahead of that & feature in bounce matches & I would guess we’ll pay him

[jambo_74]

7 hours ago, Morgan said:

Yes, I thought that too.

We'll all be acting like teenagers if we do the unthinkable though. But yeah, could be a Yute!

Best team in my lifetime, 85/86, because there was no going back after that. I was hooked up and reeled in, even though it ended ultimately in disappointment.

The most talented is a toss-up between 97/98 and 05/06. Most underrated, has to be 91/92, another should have, would have, could have.

[soonbe110]

1 hour ago, KariHMFC said:

Don’t think it is that ridiculous a shout. 

Based on what we have seen so far they are a fair way off the 2005/6 team imo.  They had guys that had won the CL and the European title with their countries.  Quality, star quality, in almost every position.     If you go through it man for man there’s not many of todays team would get in the 5/6 team, again in my opinion.    This current team will not match that I suspect, but our team in 12-24 months time if the JTA progression continues might do. 

[EH11 2NL]

18 hours ago, DxB Hearts said:

That team is absolutely unreal by the way. We’ll score so so so many goals if Chesnokov is as advertised. 
 

Right back is still obviously up in the air but even just stick McEntee in there and we’ll be fine defensively. 
 

Bloody exciting times. 

If Chesnokov and Ageu are as good as we've been told (apparently the best 2 from the lot), it's seriously time to get excited. Look at Celtic, look way below par for them, then add in the recent injuries and at least 1 going to to the AFCON. Tomorrow is massive. 

[Robbo-Jambo]

On 23/10/2025 at 23:40, tiger Rudi said:

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

What a team that looks. Can't decide who plays in the middle with Ageu. 

 

Kerjota, Kabangu, Kabore and Wilson, all ready to step up when needed. McEntee, Magnussen, Hoff for midfield. McCart, Kingsley, Steinwender, Kent, Gordon.

 

Best squad depth I've ever seen at Hearts! All players mentioned could be added to the starting 11 at any time. 

Imagine if we got Kenzhebek as well 😂

That's the absolute dream team but have to say the 2 central midfielders will have to work bloody hard.

[Ribble]

21 hours ago, kila said:

At what point do we get money for Chesnokov getting called up? From start of November?

Don’t think we get any money for being called up in qualifiers, it’s only money for call ups to the actual World Cup and Kazakhstan are not going to make it. If they had we’d get around a quarter of the payment as it’s based on where you are registered over the two years before.

[kingantti1874]

I think, unless Borch establishes himself as #1 before Jan at right back we will go big for a right back.  Especially if we are still in the running 

[Farmer1]

47 minutes ago, kingantti1874 said:

I think, unless Borch establishes himself as #1 before Jan at right back we will go big for a right back.  Especially if we are still in the running 

Tend to agree, I do wonder if we will get rid of him if this is the case 

[bloomtime]

On 23/10/2025 at 23:40, tiger Rudi said:

       Schwolow

 

Borch, Halkett, Findlay, Milne

 

           Beni?/Devlin?

                 Ageu

Chesnokov               Kyziridis 

 

          Shankland Braga 

 

What a team that looks. Can't decide who plays in the middle with Ageu. 

 

Kerjota, Kabangu, Kabore and Wilson, all ready to step up when needed. McEntee, Magnussen, Hoff for midfield. McCart, Kingsley, Steinwender, Kent, Gordon.

 

Best squad depth I've ever seen at Hearts! All players mentioned could be added to the starting 11 at any time. 

Imagine if we got Kenzhebek as well 😂

But according to mulgrew we will struggle when we get injuries due to squad depth. 

[Rick Sanchez]

Tomorrow at 10am is his last game for Tobol.

[Henroddy]

2 hours ago, kingantti1874 said:

I think, unless Borch establishes himself as #1 before Jan at right back we will go big for a right back.  Especially if we are still in the running 

I get that. If an out and out right back can't oust a part time (multi positioned) right back then there's something wrong somewhere. Though maybe McEntee's height and physicality would be an advantage in some games

[JimmyCant]

1 hour ago, Rick Sanchez said:

Tomorrow at 10am is his last game for Tobol.

Indeed. Plus 2 international games in November 

[SUTOL]

1 hour ago, Henroddy said:

I get that. If an out and out right back can't oust a part time (multi positioned) right back then there's something wrong somewhere. Though maybe McEntee's height and physicality would be an advantage in some games

 

Yea, probably the fact the out and out right back has been injured. 

[TheBigO]

4 hours ago, kingantti1874 said:

I think, unless Borch establishes himself as #1 before Jan at right back we will go big for a right back.  Especially if we are still in the running 

Hakimi please!

[Horatio Caine]

1 hour ago, TheBigO said:

Hakimi please!

Or, nearer to home, would there be a case for Adams at Falkirk? Good young  player, has potential to make lots of improvement. Loves to attack down the right.

[N Lincs Jambo]

7 hours ago, jambo_74 said:

We'll all be acting like teenagers if we do the unthinkable though. But yeah, could be a Yute!

Best team in my lifetime, 85/86, because there was no going back after that. I was hooked up and reeled in, even though it ended ultimately in disappointment.

The most talented is a toss-up between 97/98 and 05/06. Most underrated, has to be 91/92, another should have, would have, could have.

87-88 team was unplayable at times. That opening league game against a Dundee United side which had played a European final three months earlier was unreal. Should have finished far closer than we did even though we were runners up.

[davie1980]

16 hours ago, soonbe110 said:

Presume you are a teenager? 

 

I'm 45 and who knows, this might well be the best side in my lifetime. 

 

We can assess that better once we've seen Ageu, Chesnokov (and whoever else we sign in January)

 

We can assess it definitively in May

[tiger Rudi]

15 hours ago, Regular John said:

Looks good on the surface, but I'd be amazed if McInnes ever started with such an attacking-minded side.

I think at home against lesser teams, it's a very positive side. If Chesnokov has the same work rate and desire to track back when needed, as Kyziridis does, it can work away from home too. I think Milne on the right is something we will see quite a lot against stronger teams. 

[Gorgierools]

9 minutes ago, tiger Rudi said:

I think at home against lesser teams, it's a very positive side. If Chesnokov has the same work rate and desire to track back when needed, as Kyziridis does, it can work away from home too. I think Milne on the right is something we will see quite a lot against stronger teams. 

Milne and Kyzi on the left would be a thing of beauty though

[Roxy Hearts]

5 hours ago, bloomtime said:

But according to mulgrew we will struggle when we get injuries due to squad depth. 

Mulgrew is a moron of never ending West Coast centric morons! It's ridiculous how unprepared, inept and ill-informed they are!

[soonbe110]

1 hour ago, davie1980 said:

 

I'm 45 and who knows, this might well be the best side in my lifetime. 

 

We can assess that better once we've seen Ageu, Chesnokov (and whoever else we sign in January)

 

We can assess it definitively in May

Agreed, nothing special yet other than a great start to season. 

[TheBigO]

1 hour ago, Horatio Caine said:

Or, nearer to home, would there be a case for Adams at Falkirk? Good young  player, has potential to make lots of improvement. Loves to attack down the right.

Ok then. Either one of Hakimi or Adams from Falkirk it is!

[Chairman of the Bored]

6 hours ago, Rick Sanchez said:

Tomorrow at 10am is his last game for Tobol.

You mean when he gets his ACL injury?

[indianajones]

4 minutes ago, Jacques de Gauthier said:

You mean when he gets his ACL injury?

 

For the love of ****, no. 

[Drylaw Hearts]

19 hours ago, RustyRightPeg said:

1st January. He isn’t our player until then.

He will be our player in December. He just can’t play until 1st January.

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Pity he won't play against most teams twice but should strengthen the hand and provide some fresh energy in the depths of winter 

[JJ93]

We have goals coming from all over the park - and the bench.