Villarreal midfielder Denis Cheryshev and Brugge goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov are the only two Russia players, who play their football outside the Russian Premier League.

"I see no problems with almost all Russia footballers playing in their [Russian] league. Russian clubs play in Europe, we have good players," Fernandes told journalists.

The hosts, who knocked 2010 World Cup winners Spain out of this summer's tournament in the round of 16, will next face Croatia on Saturday in their first World Cup quarter-final since the end of the Soviet era.

Fernandes also said that he hoped Russia would beat Croatia and advance to the semi-finals.

"We've been training very hard and for a very long time and I think we deserve to be where we are... The whole of the team plays well... Everyone helps each other. I hope we win tomorrow," the 27 year-old CSKA Moscow player said.