Qarabağ's Ukrainian midfielder Oleksiy Kashchuk has attracted attention from the media in his homeland following his strong performances for the Azerbaijani club this season.
As reported by İdman.Biz, a detailed analysis published in the Ukrainian press highlights the 26-year-old's growing importance to the Aghdam-based team and suggests that he deserves consideration for a national team call-up.
Kashchuk has scored five goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances this season. However, the publication argues that his progress should be assessed not only through statistics but also through his increasingly influential role within the team.
The Ukrainian outlet links Kashchuk's emergence as a regular starter to the departure of Leandro Andrade, who joined Ukrainian club Polissya. The Cape Verde international had long been Qarabağ's first-choice option on the right wing, and his transfer created new opportunities for Kashchuk.
According to the analysis, the Ukrainian has taken full advantage of the situation, establishing himself as one of the key figures in Qarabağ's attacking lineup.
The article also examines the changes within the Azerbaijani club following last season's title race, in which Qarabağ finished behind Sabah. The Aghdam side have undergone a period of rebuilding, particularly in attack, with several new players joining the squad.
Nevertheless, Kashchuk's familiarity with the team's tactical system and his ability to operate in different attacking positions are regarded as significant advantages.
Throughout his Qarabağ career, Kashchuk has registered 17 goals and 13 assists in 87 appearances. Before joining the club, he also enjoyed a productive spell at Sabah, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists in 41 matches.
The Ukrainian journalist specifically highlighted Kashchuk's goals against Shamakhi, Zira, Imishli and Neftchi this season. His performances against Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica also received positive assessments.
However, the central focus of the analysis is Kashchuk's potential inclusion in the Ukrainian national team.
The author believes that the limited number of alternatives on Ukraine's right wing could create an opportunity for the Qarabağ player. While Girona winger Viktor Tsygankov remains one of the leading options in that position, the national team could benefit from additional competition and squad depth.
The publication also draws attention to the UEFA country coefficient rankings, where Ukraine currently occupies 23rd place and Azerbaijan sits immediately behind in 24th. The author presents this narrow gap as an indication that the difference in the overall level of club football between the two countries may no longer be as significant as in previous years.
In conclusion, the Ukrainian journalist argues that Kashchuk does not necessarily need to become a regular starter for the national team but has done enough to deserve closer attention from Ukraine's coaching staff.
