🇷🇺 Yuri Zhirkov

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Saw this report about him 'unlikely to join Napoli'

http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/12/03/1663433/chelseas-yuri-zhirkov-unlikely-to-join-napoli-agent

So there may have been thoughts about him leaving on January? Or at least on loan.

[bombayblue™ 55]

Goal ought to be crappier than The Sun..

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Not a chance, although it's been a disappointing start to his Chelsea career because of injuries, he hasn't played even half as much as he would have liked.

[chrismada9 1,948]

It was like this with Malouda when he first joined the club. They mentioned that he was second choice behind Joe Cole, and that he would be sold within a year.

I think it's far too early to determine his fate. Give him a chance at least.

Edited December 5, 2009 by CJ Revo

[5354 204]

I think he needs more play time.... 

[Milan 17,958]

No way he should be sold or loaned! He's more than enough quality to be in the starting eleven. He just needs time like everyone.

[Shane 2,275]

Was decent against Blackburn I thought, Bar the penalty.

[caesarblues 51]

Yuri Zhirkov promises Chelsea fans: You'll see the best of me now

By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 1:44 PM on 19th December 2009

 

Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov insists the best is yet to come after finally getting fit since his move from CSKA Moscow.

Zhirkov has enjoyed a growing involvement in recent weeks, shaking off the knee problem that held him back after his July transfer and displaying glimpses of his ability as an energetic and skilful wide player, equally comfortable on the front or back foot.

The Russian will be hoping for another slice of action against West Ham on Sunday as Chelsea seek to retain a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Confident: Yuri Zhirkov is challenged by Apoel Nicosia's Kamil Kosowski

'After the transfer there was an injury so I am very happy now to be able to play,' said Zhirkov.

'For about one month I was out of training and it was hard psychologically. It wasn't fun.'

A debut against AC Milan in a Baltimore friendly in pre-season saw him score the winner in a 2-1 success, but that was the last Chelsea fans saw of him until September and a competitive debut against QPR in the Carling Cup.

Zhirkov admits it has been a frustrating time.

From Russia with love: Yury Zhirkov

'This is always the case when you try to get back into the game as soon as possible,' said Zhirkov.

'You think you are recovered fully but then you go on the pitch and still feel the pain, so you have to go off.

'That's what happened in this case, the intention was to get back into the game as soon as possible. The head is there to play but the legs do not always follow.'

After a prolonged absence from competitive football, a little rustiness is to be expected, and Zhirkov happily admits Chelsea fans are still to see his best form, either at the back or further forward.

'I haven't done anything special so far in the games so I cannot say I am very happy with that yet,' he added.

'When I was playing in CSKA I was playing left-back, but probably going forward a lot more than here, it is very different here.

'It doesn't really matter to me, I am happy to play, and can comfortably play in either defence or midfield.

'Training is different from what it was in Russia. It is more hard work here but I am getting used to it in England,' he smiled.

'Matches too are very different, both in the way the game is played and the way it is followed. The level of football in England is absolutely fantastic, and that is the real difference. There are players from all over the world that can end up in England.

'It is not every day that you receive an offer from a club like Chelsea. Even to train with Chelsea is better and more rewarding than to play against some other teams in Russia.'

Chelsea will have striker Didier Drogba back for the trip to Upton Park. The Ivory Coast international missed the win over Portsmouth with a back injury.

Ricardo Carvalho, rested against Pompey, will return in defence alongside John Terry while Joe Cole is likely to replace Deco at the front of the diamond formation.

 

yes..indeed we'll wait you come up !

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

I would be glad if he got at least 10 minutes of premier league football, at the moment we need to try and play different tacts for us to be comfortably winning again.

[caesarblues 51]

i think he will get more chances when the africans go,, and carlo must improve diamonds too

[EskWeston 696]

Good to see Yuri play higher up the park. Definately where he is more usefull in my opinion and i think he could be a big influence there for us,

[Badboy 1,526]

Good to see Yuri play higher up the park. Definately where he is more usefull in my opinion and i think he could be a big influence there for us,

He looked really direct in that match !

[diskoviolente 425]

I think he grows more in into the team.

Playing him in a more attacking role realy suits him

[Blueboy 14]

Zhirkov has adapted very quickly to the English game, he is really beginning to show off his ability in the games he played this season

[chrismada9 1,948]

Zenit St Petersburg are considering a £21million bid to take Chelsea defender Yury Zhirkov back to Russia.

The 26-year-old endured a torrid first season at Stamford Bridge, struggling with injuries in both knees and making just 10 Premier League starts following an £18.6m move from CSKA Moscow.

Chelsea agreed to sign Zhirkov before Carlo Ancelotti arrived and the Russia international has struggled to fit into his manager’s plans.

He has mostly been used as Ashley Cole’s understudy, despite forging a reputation at CSKA as an attacking left winger.

Runaway Russian Premier League leaders Zenit would give Zhirkov a prominent role as they build a side for the Champions League and are also on the brink of signing Porto captain Bruno Alves for £18.2m.

Zhirkov refused to comment, saying he was only focussed on being fit for the new season with Chelsea.

‘I can say that I am a Chelsea player and It’s a great honour to play for the club,’ he said.

‘The knee is not a worry. The competition in our club for places is great . But I really want to play and will do everything I can to break into the team.’

------------------------------------

Source:- Daily Mail

------------------------------------

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Why on earth would we sell Zhirkov?! He's a great asset to us, left back and left midfielder! He can fill in for Ashley Cole or Malouda, a perfect player. Not to mention he was a leaving gift transfer from Hiddink!

We're not selling him back, Carlo would not allow it.

[Kostas 1,468]

Bollocks,he's good far better than some of the players who had more starts than him,I'll be really sad to see him go.

[chrismada9 1,948]

I love how they claim that Zhirkov had a "torrid first season". He obviously didn't. Whenever he played for us he was awesome, he just couldn't get enough game time because Ashley Cole is the first choice left back.

I honestly hope we don't sell him! Like you say, he's an asset to the team, and rightly so.

Edited August 4, 2010 by CJ Revo

[Mário César 1,278]

Sell Zhirkov? No way. He is a useful player for Chelsea.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Daily Mail with there usually bull shit !