DavidEU 2,023 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Name: Yuri ZhirkovPosition: MidfielderNumber: 18Joined From: CSKA MoskvaFee: £18 millionSigned by: Carlo AncelottiAge: 25Though Chelsea Football Club did not spend £80 million on a winger like Real Madrid did earlier in July 2009, there is still much excitement surrounding the signing of Russian winger Yuri Zhirkov. Zhirkov, at the age of just 25, is a natural-born winner. Along with winning the 2005 UEFA Cup, the Russian has won the 2005 and 2006 Russian Premier League titles, the Russian Cup in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009, along with four Russian Super Cups; most recently in March 2009 with a 2-1 win over champions Rubin Kazan - Zhirkov was the man of the match. Perhaps not a household name in the same style as Ronaldo or Kaka, Zhirkov is a talented young player with a bright future ahead of him. Nevertheless, the Russian was named his country's player of the year, ahead of Andrei Arshavin of Arsenal, which is testament to the ability he has already demonstrated at both CSKA and under Guus Hiddink at international level.It was in fact former Blues boss Hiddink who recommended the player join the club, and the transfer was agreed between both clubs on July 7, before making the switch a done deal a couple of days later. Impressive during training, Zhirkov has been said to be "working his socks off" to impress new manager Carlo Ancelotti according to Chelsea TV's Ben Andrews, following the transfer that makes him the most expensive Russian player of all time.Yuri Zhirkov is also a player for the big occassion, having netted the winner in the 2005 Rusian Cup final against FC Khimki and also in the UEFA Cup final during the same season. An experience Russian international, he impressed during Russia's UEFA Euro 2008 run to the semi finals as his country's left-back. Zhirkov will offer cover to Ashley Cole in that particular role, whilst also competing with Florent Malouda for a starting position out wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidEU 2,023 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Discuss Yuri's Official Signing Here. Discuss Yuri in the player database, here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismada9 1,948 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 this thread needs to be closed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLion. 21,491 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alee. 182 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 He'll get #7 surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EskWeston 696 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Wearing 18 in training today which is the number he usually wears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Term-X 7,891 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 7 should be saved for this so called mega signing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EskWeston 696 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 7 should be saved for this so called mega signing 7 should be retired!!! that bloody number is cursed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLion. 21,491 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Added that profile, David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alee. 182 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I also saw a pic of Sturridge wearing 18 in training haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLion. 21,491 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Sturridge was going to have 18, but he's swapped to 23. Saw it on Blues News yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismada9 1,948 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I also saw a pic of Sturridge wearing 18 in training haha That was before Zhirkov signed though, he was wearing 23 the following day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Term-X 7,891 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 all that air Jordan clothing he probably wears must have swayed the decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismada9 1,948 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 all that air Jordan clothing he probably wears must have swayed the decision. so you assume that Daniel Sturridge is a soft basketball fan?? By the way Jim Carrey would hate Daniel Sturridge's number Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Term-X 7,891 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 who knows.. what i'm saying is he probably used to wear or still does wear air jordan clothing, seems as they made the number 23 more commercial and so forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diskoviolente 425 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Oh lads, i am getting a bit excited now. I have a certain feeling that we did really well on the transferwindow this year. Improving where improvement was needed. Sturrey and Zhirko will have a massive carreer here, believe me (I hope i don´t have to swallow my words later) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badboy 1,526 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) who knows.. what i'm saying is he probably used to wear or still does wear air jordan clothing, seems as they made the number 23 more commercial and so forth. Why would you assume he wears air jordan clothes. Edited July 11, 2009 by Badboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiccO1873 0 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 If he is anywhere near as good in real life as he is in Football Manager then Chelsea have a total gem of a player . Seriously though, it's good to have another good left-sided player in the squad. Up until recently I hadn't fancied Malouda as a great player at all. Hopefully a bit of competition for places will urge him to keep up his good form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane 2,275 Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 who knows.. what i'm saying is he probably used to wear or still does wear air jordan clothing, seems as they made the number 23 more commercial and so forth. Tad Racist, Just because he's black doesn't mean he wears Air Jordan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChelseaUSA 0 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 haha in the US growing up everyone wore jordan, in team sports the first number to go was usually 23, hes a god lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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