The demoted leader of Russian champions Zenit Saint Petersburg yesterday branded Brazilian striker Hulk a second-rate star who did not merit a contract the size of which has sparked an open revolt at the club.
"Yes, we bought some nice players who will clearly help Zenit. But are they really so much better than the current team leaders that they deserve to get three times more?" the 28-year-old Russian demanded.
"Zenit have assembled great players who have won at least as many titles as the new guys."
Denisov and leading league scorer Alexander Kerzhakov were both demoted to the youth squad on Sunday after voicing displeasure at the €100 million (HK$1 billion) transfer from the Portuguese league of Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel.
Hulk was reportedly signed to a €6.5 million annual contract while Witsel was awarded just under half that amount.