Artem Dovbyk: Girona's Ukrainian forward is on course to win the Pichichi in his first season in La Liga
In his first season in one of Europe's top five leagues, the 26-year-old is the top scorer in the Spanish first division, two goals ahead of Alexander Sorloth and Jude Bellingham.
With just five match days remaining in the 2023-24 La Liga season, Artem Dovbyk is on track to win the Pichichi Trophy, the award given at the end of each campaign to the competition's top goalscorer. Never has a player from Girona or a Ukrainian won it, but the 26-year-old could change that as he now leads the table with 19 goals, two more than Alexander Sorloth and Jude Bellingham, his nearest challengers.
As Robert Lewandowski did last term, Dovbyk hopes to lift the Pichichi Trophy in his first season in La Liga. In fact, this is his first campaign in one of Europe's top five leagues, having only played in Moldova, Denmark and his native Ukraine, and he absolutely proved he belongs. Next term, he should be able to showcase his talents to the rest of Europe in the Champions League as his goals have helped lead Girona to the brink of a first Champions League qualification.
At Estadi Montilivi, everyone is happy with what Dovbyk has been able to do this season. There was some concern among fans in the summer after striker Taty Castellanos left after a 13-goal season. However, Dovbyk was brought in by SC Dnipro-1 as the club's most expensive signing ever and he hit the ground running in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in matchday 1.
Assisting his first goal for the club was his fellow Ukrainian Viktor Tsyhankov. The winger had talked a lot about the Girona project to his international team-mate when Dovbyk was considering a move, before he helped the striker settle in the pre-season. It also helped Dovbyk's adaptation that one of the club's kitmen is Ukrainian.
Much more than a center of excellence
At the start of the season, Michel expressed his delight at the summer signing's ability to put the ball in the back of the net. The coach explained: “Dovbyk has that talent to score goals. He is very good and he is very happy in Girona and with the team. He has a friend, in Viktor Tsyhankov, who made his arrival at the club go well. a differential player.”
However, the Girona coach also wanted the striker to be more involved in the team's overall game. Michel does not want his teams to consist of a block of 10 players and then an isolated striker at the tip.
Learning Girona's system took Dovbyk some time, as it does for any newcomer, but the 26-year-old has shown a willingness to learn and has become a more integral part of the overall game of the team Contributing five assists in addition to his 19 goals, the Girona frontman also tops the La Liga charts for combined goals and assists. His total of 24 is the same as Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
Preparation for Euro 2024 and the Champions League
Whether he goes on to win the Pichichi Trophy or not, Dovbyk will be heading to Euro 2024 with Ukraine in the summer. He featured in all of his national team's qualifying matches, and also scored a crucial 88th-minute winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff semi-finals.
Assuming that Girona keep their place in the top four, something that could be confirmed mathematically in the 34th matchday, Dovbyk and his Gerona teammates can also look forward to Champions League football next season. It will be the first participation of the Catalan club in European football and they will enter that elite competition with one of the most clinical strikers in Europe, who has a contract with the club until 2028.
When he arrived at the club, Dovbyk said that he did not want to set a specific goal for the number of goals. But, his tally of 19 currently has him as the top scorer in the League. If he keeps it up in the remaining match days, he will win a historic Pichichi Trophy.
Watch LALIGA TV exclusively via Premier Sports in the UK. Everything about LALIGA, Everything in one place. Available from just £7.99/month.
