Zhirkov to strengthen Chelsea in summer
Published: 01 June, 2009, 13:12
Yury Zhirkov
TAGS: Sport, Hiddink, Football, Premier League
Russia’s best footballer of 2008 Yury Zhirkov is set to join Chelsea for €22 million during the summer break, says the player’s agent, the Evening Standard cites reports.
Russia’s national team boss Guus Hiddink, who took a part time job at the London club during the last half year, recommended the winger to the Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
Zhirkov was a part of Hiddink’s squad, who reached the semi-final of Euro 2008 and was included in the Team of the Tournament. The 25-year-old was also among 30 nominated for the Golden Ball 2008, awarded to the best footballer in Europe.
The midfielder now plays for CSKA Moscow, which he joined back in 2004. He played 137 matches for the Army Men in the Russian Premier League and scored 15 goals. He won the championship twice, triumphed in the Russian Cup four times, including a win in a final against Rubin this Sunday, and won the UEFA Cup in 2005.
Rumors about Zhirkov moving to Chelsea appeared even before Euro 2008, fueled by the close friendship of Abramovich and CSKA president Evgeny Giner.
Back in 2007, CSKA coach Valery Gazzaev characterized Zhirkov as “a player of such a high level, he would only show all his potential playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League… He would easily fit into Chelsea’s first-choice team.”
Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus were mentioned in press as the clubs also willing to see the Russian midfielder in their squads.
If the deal is struck, Zhirkov will become the third Russian in the English Premier League together with Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin and Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Ancelotti replaces Hiddink
As Yury Zhirkov moves to Chelsea, so does its new coach Carlo Ancelotti, as Chelsea confirmed that the former AC Milan boss has agreed to a three-year deal with the London club.
The Italian will start working on July 1 after leaving AC Milan by mutual consent.
He will replace Guus Hiddink, who’s back to coach the Russian national team, after taking over on a temporary basis at Stamford Bridge.
Ancelotti won two UEFA Champions League titles and one Serie A championship during his eight years as Milan coach.
He announced his departure from the club on Sunday after Milan beat Fiorentina 2-0 in the last game of the season to finish second in the league.
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