thanks for your work good deal for you and us

always thought you tried when on the pitch and always seemed to get penaltys

good luck for the future and enjoy your prem medal

I'm a bit sad that he's gone. He didn't have the best of times playing for Chelsea. I'm convinced he could have played a bigger part if it weren't for the injuries.

Im awaiting Gem's dedication thread!

Sad to see him go, wish him all the best over in Russia

Yes, ditto on that. Never had a problem with him, and he always gave his all on the pitch.

Well this is as good a place as any - not many pictures but none-the-less, thank you Yuri for your time at Chelsea.

Good pictures Gem, really wish him the best, top bloke it seems shame he never really got the run out here and did he ever learn to speak english? Not really sure on that

nice one gem for the pictures

I was just going to mention that goal, thanks for posting the vid.

So long Yuri, we hardly knew you.

Good luck.

A bad bit of business from Chelsea really, if the only intention was to use him as back up for Ashley Cole. The rest of the time he seemed to be plagued with injuries, so he has been a bit unlucky there. Will always remember him for that cracker above, and winning the pen vs United.

Real shame it didnt work out for him here, but thats football and sometimes it just doesnt fit right. Good luck to him for the future, unless he plays against us obviously.

No I don't think it was bad business. Zhirkov was unlucky with injuries, and as dkw says, it just didn't work out. That's how it goes sometimes. The history of football, not only Chelsea FC, is littered with similar disappointments. Zhirkov may have been dubbed the "Russian Rhonaldino", remember Peter Marinello, dubbed the "Scottish George Best"?

I can't help wondering how many "next Stanley Matthews's", "next JImmy Greaves's" have disappeared into the depths of obscurity over the years.

No I don't think it was bad business. Zhirkov was unlucky with injuries, and as dkw says, it just didn't work out. That's how it goes sometimes. The history of football, not only Chelsea FC, is littered with similar disappointments. Zhirkov may have been dubbed the "Russian Rhonaldino", remember Peter Marinello, dubbed the "Scottish George Best"?

I can't help wondering how many "next Stanley Matthews's", "next JImmy Greaves's" have disappeared into the depths of obscurity over the years.

And of course the Italian Ryan Giggs......

I'm not sure exactly why we signed him in the first place. Still a shame it never really worked out for him, other than a few glimpses of how good he was, like that goal in the CL or the game against Bolton where he was man of the match despite losing about 5 pints of blood. And it seems like we've recouped a lot of what we paid for him in anyway. I wish him all the best in the rest of his career.

Edited August 7, 201114 yr by Englishman

When we signed him, he was on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon D'or, too bad he never lived up to the expectations.

Maybe he was the reason Malouda was in top form during the double season.

I will say good bye. but you made a lot for the team!

He wasn't given a fair shout really and never really played in his best position left wing.

Oh and for thsoe saying why did we sign him. When he filled in for the injured Ashley Cole in our last title winning season he was immense and he's also played brilliantly in other games and filled in alot when we had injuries so had we not had him then we'd have been even more f**ked.

Edited August 7, 201114 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

Disappointed really. I thought he looked pretty dangerous whenever he played and definately deserved another season to prove himself.

he was a pointless signing when the £18m could have been spent elsewhere...only time he got a chance was when ashley was out for a few months with a fractured ankle in double winning season...he only showed flashes of his ability, but I also though he was a bit lightweight and would go missing if things weren't going well...very easy to knock off the ball too...another of 'roman's signings' that didn't work out

So long yuri, a disappointing spell in the end. I think in different circumstances he could have been a great player for us. Hope he does well back in Russia

Good Bye Yuri. I hope you find the form that made a hot property in Russia.

he was a pointless signing when the £18m could have been spent elsewhere...only time he got a chance was when ashley was out for a few months with a fractured ankle in double winning season...he only showed flashes of his ability, but I also though he was a bit lightweight and would go missing if things weren't going well...very easy to knock off the ball too...another of 'roman's signings' that didn't work out

Spot on Brit and don't forget two-years of wages: 18 mil + for 32 starts and 17 subs is a diabolical return

Shame for the guy. I've always thought he was a bit unlucky. He was bought just as Malouda finally came good. I think when we bought him, we thought he would be first choice and Malouda would be his backup, but somehow Carlo managed to keep the mojo going for Flo and he has become a pretty crucial part of the team.

He didn't have the impact we were after but he was solid during the run in two seasons ago, and can always hang is hat on that. Good luck to him in Russia and I hope he gets over the injury problems he suffered from here.