It's not only about that, his skillset is the same against any opposition. He's quick, can dribble the ball forward and play nice passes. Pellegrini looks like your random italian in comparison. The Russian might be a bigger gamble, i give you that, but the reward is bigger as well if he were to come good. So if both go for around the same price - i'd rather go for the russian and gamble on him instead of buying that guaranteed above average italian.