Yuri Zhirkov

[Duppy Conqueror 1,495]

looking forward to seeing Yury back.

prior to his latest injury i thought he was doing some good things with us(as he always has when given the chance)...since he`s been out we have slumped and although it`s down to many things, i think we could have won atleast 4-6 more points if we had a fit Zhirkov during that time.

Yuri is one of the few players at our club who can actually go past players with the ball at his feet (Ash,Bos,Malouda,Kakuta & Sturridge being the others..atleast when on form or in the case of Danny and Gael, at the club) ..the majority of our players rely on passing or drifting past them without the ball to get on the end of a pass to get past their man...in both cases it obviously relies on being able to produce good passing and if that`s poor as it is overall at present, then it`s no wonder we have stumbled so much.

if Yury hits the floor running on his return i think he could be the spark we need to get back on track.

Yury`s return could also send the rocket up Malouda`s arse that he looks like he needs at present!

[Rambo 1,729]

Arguably the best crosser on our team, he can provide some width on the pitch and free up the forwards.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I desperately hope Zhirkov gets some run now, we need his pace, creativity and more than anything his willingness to MAKE RUNS !!!

[Krypt 241]

Question is will carlo play him. he would play best in the malouda role on the left , he isnt the best in central mid.

[Fulham Broadway 16,986]

Arguably the best crosser on our team, he can provide some width on the pitch and free up the forwards.

This is what Torres will need -can see Zhirkov working well with him

[Kajo 176]

He is our russian machine. He can run without getting tired, he can pass straight to team-mates with whole banch of opponents at his back, he can score amazing goal(s), they cant kick him, punching him but he always back on the pitch like he did against Bolton. I would love to see him back on the pitch !!!

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

I want him to be given a run at Left wing in place of Malouda

[Milan 17,881]

I want him to be given a run at Left wing in place of Malouda

Same here. I believe our game would look different and be faster. He could change it definitely.

[Fulham Broadway 16,986]

Thing is not to get carried away and see him as a saviour for present troubles. People were hardly saying hes the dogs bollox before.

Hopefully can inject some dynamism....

[steve5221 91]

Does anyone think that Carlo will give him a decent run of games in the side?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Thing is not to get carried away and see him as a saviour for present troubles. People were hardly saying hes the dogs bollox before.

Hopefully can inject some dynamism....

Exactly. Yury is no saviour but his pace and creativity will at least give us another dimension; as opposed to the tactics of our current quota of wingers, which seemed limited to running walking around like a headless chicken.

Does anyone think that Carlo will give him a decent run of games in the side?

No.

[Rambo 1,729]

Does anyone think that Carlo will give him a decent run of games in the side?

Not really, he will be used as an impact sub if anything.

[crazy1 24]

i think carlo will give him a chance and if yuri will utilize it den he will b in our starting lineup..................

[Miguelito 459]

does anyone think he could play behind the 2 strikers if we play a diamond in the midfield?

i just thought about this and me and my brother have been debating about it. i dont think his pace would be used very well here so im not so sure but my brother thinks it could work. thoughts?

[Duppy Conqueror 1,495]

does anyone think he could play behind the 2 strikers if we play a diamond in the midfield?

i just thought about this and me and my brother have been debating about it. i dont think his pace would be used very well here so im not so sure but my brother thinks it could work. thoughts?

maybe he could play there but when the team is lacking in options to provide width, the last thing we should do is move one of the few players we have who can provide it,inside.

with Malouda being so out of form,Yury should start the next few games atleast in his position. now that he`s fit to play again..

[Milan 17,881]

Zhirkov considers leaving Chelsea

DailyMail

Yury Zhirkov admits he might have to leave Chelsea to secure first-team football.

The versatile Russian was enjoying his best run in Carlo Ancelotti's team before being struck by a hard-to-solve achilles problem in November.

His debut season at Stamford Bridge was plagued by injuries to both knees following an £18million move from CSKA Moscow in 2008, but he is now fully fit after seeing specialists in Germany.

Zenit St Petersburg would be prepared to take the 27-year-old back home before the Russian transfer window closes in March, but Zhirkov is reluctant to consider a move before trying to get his Chelsea career back on track.

'Right now my main goal is to return to the Chelsea team,' he told Russian newspaper Sport-Express. 'If that's possible it will end all questions about my future.

'However, if I don't get a game before the summer, then I really will have to think seriously about the future.'

Chelsea allowed Zhirkov to seek his own treatment in Germany last month after little progress in treating his achilles inury and specialists discovered the problem actually lay in his hip.

'After a special massage and personalised excercises the pain, thank God, is gone.'

And while Chelsea have slipped down the table in his absence, Zhirkov is not ready to write off Chelsea's chances of retaining the Barclays Premier League title.

'I do not think we have already lost the championship,' he said, despite Chelsea standing fifth and 12 points behind Manchester United with a dozen games to play.

'Yes, the gap to the leaders is large, but if we win one or two games our old self-confidence will return, and with it the points. As for the Champions League, then it was always among our top goals.'

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Wouldn't at all be surprised if he left this summer. Which is a shame.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I think Yuri is being a little unfair, he has got playing time whenever he's been fit, it's not Carlo's fault that he's been so injury prone for us. Now if he was not getting run while he was healthy this whole time then he has the right to complain.