Zhirkov could quit Chelsea

Yury Zhirkov will look to leave Chelsea if he fails to force his way into the first team before the end of the season.

The 27-year-old Russia wing-back has only recently returned from three months out with an Achilles injury.

Zhirkov became Carlo Ancelotti's first major signing when he joined from CSKA Moscow for £18million in the summer of 2009, but he has warned his boss that he may consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.

"My only target at the moment is to get back into the main Chelsea team," he told The Sun.

"If I'm successful with that, all the other issues will resolve themselves.

"But if I fail to achieve that between now and the summer, I will start thinking of other possibilities."

source

I would be sad to see him go. Injurys have kept him from having a good run in the team and when he has managed to put a run of games together he has looked the part. Enjoyed watching him linking up with others and making those direct run's in to the box ,seems to be something we are missing at the moment. However if he wants to go is better to have a new player with drive than a player thats got the arse. Also unless someone somewhere rates him highly i can not see us getting a good return on the 18 mill we spent on him

Poor guy needs a run in the team, on the FLANK!! Not this LB idiotic notion. Malouda is under perofmring big time and I think he should be given the chance to prove his worth - I think he is a top player who will thrive anywhere else.

These stories have been going around for a little while now. Considering he's only just returned from injury, it's a bit early to start complaining about not being picked.

Other Chelsea players rumoured to be on their way our include: Malouda (Talksport), Bosingwa (Daily Mail) and according to the Daily Star (no link provided) Bolton will have to pay £10 million to convert Daniel Sturridge's loan into a permanent deal.

If I'm honest I dont think he's strong enough for this league, he's ok going forward with the ball, but hes a bit lightwieght in the tackle. He will defintley need to improve his game to have a chance of getting back into the team, he could get away with the defending if he was such an asset in attack, but he isnt yet.

I agree he needs a run in his natural position but other than the odd exception have found him to be a rather average player. Jury's still out on him for me.

If I'm honest I dont think he's strong enough for this league, he's ok going forward with the ball, but hes a bit lightwieght in the tackle. He will defintley need to improve his game to have a chance of getting back into the team, he could get away with the defending if he was such an asset in attack, but he isnt yet.

Totally agree. IMO he hasn't looked top quality and he never seems to have fully settled.

If he's not happy, let him go. Really don't see it as much of a loss.

regardless of whether we rate the guy or not, why isn't this in "Rumours"? The sun and Skysport, FFS!

For those who don't rate him - how much have you seen him play for us in the Premier League? Full 90 minutes, in his preferred position.

I saw enough of him against Bolton at Stamford Bridge last season to think he deserves to see more time on the pitch, however, as pointed out earlier, he has only just come back from injury and it remains to be seen what Carlo's plans are for him.

I think he should of had a run in the team long before now, he's a top quality player, I think he'll do excellent wherever he goes I hope he stays though.

I can't believe somebody who has been injured more often than not even has the audacity to make those kind of comments. Who does he think he is? :blink:

It would be a mistake to let Yuri go. Some people have short memories. He performed admirably for us when called on last season. He deserves the opportunity to recover from his Achilles injury.

With the squad as thin as it is, he should not be denied the opportunity to perform. His best position is left midfield. We need to hold on to him to provide competition for Malouda. In addition Lamps is not getting any younger and with his drop in form, Yuri would be an excellent replacement when needed. Let's not forget Yuri is also capable of filling in for Ashley at left back.

I would hate to see Yuri Zhirkov leave Stamford Bridge!

Considering he's only just returned from injury, it's a bit early to start complaining about not being picked.

Couldn't agree more.

Apart from his ill-fated stint in centre mid (which was hardly his fault), I feel that Zhirkov has done well and has consistently performed at a decent standard for us and deserves a chance to shine. If this shift to 4-4-2 becomes permanent, he'd probably be more suited to the left midfield position than Malouda, plus he and Cole hinted at a great partnership down the left flank as early as his debut against Inter.

These stories have been going around for a little while now. Considering he's only just returned from injury, it's a bit early to start complaining about not being picked.

I can't believe somebody who has been injured more often than not even has the audacity to make those kind of comments. Who does he think he is? :blink:

Couldn't agree more.

Have any of you ACTUALLY read what was posted? I find it difficult to see anything that counts as either "start complaining" or audacious comments. If the quotes are verbatim, all the bloke has said is that he wants to get back into the team.

I think that the current season form is causing a lot of us to see a negative in nearly anything.

Yuri is a guy that, when healthy and playing regularly, can be an amazing player. He is the best crosser on the team. Will score a ton of goals? No, but I would be willing to bet that if he played an entire season he would lead the team in assists. The problems are his health and lack of true position on this team. He would be perfect for the left midfield spot in a 4-4-2. I personally feel that he is a guy that needs to stay on the team. The health issue is a big risk though.

Have any of you ACTUALLY read what was posted? I find it difficult to see anything that counts as either "start complaining" or audacious comments. If the quotes are verbatim, all the bloke has said is that he wants to get back into the team.

I think that the current season form is causing a lot of us to see a negative in nearly anything.

If he's been complaining, considering he's only just returned from injury, it's a bit early to start complaining about not being picked.

I that better?

Apart from his ill-fated stint in centre mid (which was hardly his fault), I feel that Zhirkov has done well and has consistently performed at a decent standard for us and deserves a chance to shine. If this shift to 4-4-2 becomes permanent, he'd probably be more suited to the left midfield position than Malouda, plus he and Cole hinted at a great partnership down the left flank as early as his debut against Inter.

The one game that stands out in my mind was our 2-0 victory over Spartak Moscow in the C.L. back in Oct or Nov 2010. Yuri was our outstanding performer. His habit of drifting into his natural left side position caused problems for Spartak defenders to close him down. Apart from his brilliant goal from 25 yards out, he completed more passes than any other Chelsea player.

Don't really care tbh. He should be shipped out in the summer anyway. Always seems to be injured, and on the rare occaisons when he's been fully fit, he's never looked particularly good.

Don't really care tbh. He should be shipped out in the summer anyway. Always seems to be injured, and on the rare occaisons when he's been fully fit, he's never looked particularly good.

I believe Guus Hiddink would disagree with you. Guus was the one who recommended that Chelsea sign Zhirkov, as he considered Yuri one of the best wingers in the game. Here's Hiddink's statement " Zhirkov plays a very modern game. He is capable of covering all the left side of the pitch alone. A player can only do this if he has brilliant technical skills and physical condition. Yuri is a top class footballer"

Ill never forget the way he played against Villa last season. Him and Malouda terrorized them.

"My only target at the moment is to get back into the main Chelsea team," he told The Sun.

"If I'm successful with that, all the other issues will resolve themselves.

"But if I fail to achieve that between now and the summer, I will start thinking of other possibilities."

I read this to say, if his quotes are verbatim, that if he fails to make the first team that he will start thinking of other possibilities. And you have to assume those possibilities will include his footballing career outside of Chelsea. Whether that means not signing a new contract after his contract expires, retire, ask to be sold, or whatever. I'll give you that he wants to back into the team, but it ALSO says that if he doesn't he will consider other possibilities.

And what other "issues" does he have? I like Yuri, but he's been injured his fair share of time. I'm not sure what other "issues" he could have besides focusing on getting healthy AND working his way back into the team. Whether or not Carlo uses him to his liking is not under my control. That could very well become an issue, but I can't see it as one now since Carlo hasn't been able to use him due to his injury.

Have any of you ACTUALLY read what was posted? I find it difficult to see anything that counts as either "start complaining" or audacious comments. If the quotes are verbatim, all the bloke has said is that he wants to get back into the team.

I think that the current season form is causing a lot of us to see a negative in nearly anything.

I have to question whether or not you actually read the entire quote. This has nothing to do with me being negative. If the quotes are verbatim, I take it as somewhat of a threat that he would bolt if not given a chance (and chance is loosely defined by the beholder). Whether or not he's justified is really yet to be seen.

However, if he's trying to make waves now, just as he's returning to fitness, he's got no right to be doing so.

Don't really care tbh. He should be shipped out in the summer anyway. Always seems to be injured, and on the rare occaisons when he's been fully fit, he's never looked particularly good.

I wonder if that is related to the fact he is a LW and we have played him instead as a LB or a CM.

When he has been able to play as a LM/LW he has done quite well, and has linked up good with Cole and Malouda.

Amazing how we can complain about a lack of depth yet still call for talented 27 yr olds to be shipped out a season and a half after paying 18million for them......

I would also urge people to remember how long it took for other players to adapt and come "good" such as Drogba and Malouda.....

Got to say, I'd rather a player who itches for first team action than one who is happy to collect cheques on a bench, think we've had our fair share of those and they didnt do much to help the CHelsea cause, no?