Yuri Zhirkov

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Looking back I can't help but blame Carlo for Yuri never becoming a Chelsea great here despite being a classy winger. Carlo never seem to have any trust in him for no reason. And would only play him at LB or CM just so Malouda could play at LW. I can understand in the double winning season when Malouda was on top form. But the next season when he was shit for long periods, Carlo decided that Malouda would be in his group of players who must never been dropped no matter how crap they play (I think Malouda started every PL game), even though Zhirkov easily could have replaced him. In my mind Carlo is the reason he never hit the ground running (with the exception of injury), I remember when he got over the knee injury and was available since October, Carlo did not give him his PL debut until bloody December!

Definitely. It was incredibly frustrating to see him anywhere but LB, especially because Malouda was more of a CM than Zhirkov. We paid a lot for Yuri and he could've actually been a decent winger for us, didn't see him as an exceptional player, but definitely would've been a better option to Malouda. He was a pure winger, and the lack of one now is costing us quite a bit.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I could never, and still can't, understand why carlo moved him to CM, his dribbling skills were very impressive. Unfortunately for Yuri his stay at Chelsea coincided with Malouda's best two years, and his injuries didn't help either, otherwise he would've been great for us. His goal in the CL against CSKA Moscow (?) still lives in memory.

[Madmax 9,219]

I could never, and still can't, understand why carlo moved him to CM, his dribbling skills were very impressive. Unfortunately for Yuri his stay at Chelsea coincided with Malouda's best two years, and his injuries didn't help either, otherwise he would've been great for us. His goal in the CL against CSKA Moscow (?) still lives in memory.

Spartak.

[Tomo 21,681]

He should have stayed instead of Malouda but we were given an offer were we would have recouped most of the money we spent on him which isn't half bad.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Spartak.

Oh right. Thanks

[SeB 1,281]

As the season goes on, I'm really even more disappointed that we let him go as I was already during the summer...

Keeping him would have allow to put Mata in a central position sooner than now. And for me Malouda has a future as a left central midfielder, we should have kept both but there wasn't enough spots in the 25 man list.

[Arief 40]

i prefer him than malouda sooo much.

He can play in LB too, and he's so badass.

Still remember when he still play with so much blood from his head.

He's a warrior.

miss you so much zhirkov

[Shogun 721]

I can't believe you sold him to be honest, he looked a great little player. + that goal he scored in the champions league!

[Spike 12,049]

I can't believe you sold him to be honest, he looked a great little player. + that goal he scored in the champions league!

He couldn't deal with England. It was too hard for him. No the football or anything but the culture and language.

[robdog 2,084]

The reason why Zhirkov left was the fact that he could not bring his family over to England. I am sure if his Wife & kid were able to make over to London, he would still be a CFC player.

[capriccioso 2,545]

I can't believe you sold him to be honest, he looked a great little player. + that goal he scored in the champions league!

The money offered was probably too hard to refuse. We recouped nearly all we spent on him.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

The family and the fact.. We played Malouda ahead of this guy. NOT ONLY THAT but then when we did play him, we stuck him in MIDFIELD instead of the wing, where he belonged. We basically fucked with his career far too much.

[Vesper 27,324]

He is still playing for Russia at soon 38yo.

Watching him now.

[DH1988 1,198]

I really thought he would do well here, quite a shame, very wasted.