Zhirkov flies in for medical

[chrissivad]

Yuri Zhirkov

has flown to London to undergo a medical with Chelsea according to reports in his native Russia.
The CSKA Moscow winger has been rumoured to be close to joining the Blues all summer but it now appears likely that he will be unveiled as manager Carlo Ancelotti

's latest signing next week.
The 25-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United

in the past, is thought to be the subject of an £18million fee and will negotiate personnel terms once his medical is complete.
The Russian daily newspaper Sport Express revealed that Zhirkov had left his homeland to board a plane destined for London earlier on Sunday.
As of yet there has been no confirmation from either club but Sport Express claim that CSKA president Eugene Giner confirmed that the Russian international was close to joining the Blues.
Zhirkov shot to prominence at Euro 2008 where his standout performances alongside team-mate Andrey Arshavin

helped guide Russia to the last four.

Sky Sports


Another winger in and Malouda signing a new contract, might put pressure on Joe Cole to look else where if he wants to get into the England squad

 

[RussellYid]

might put pressure on Joe Cole to look else where if he wants to get into the England squad

ray:

 

[David St Hubbins]

ray:

ray: ray: ray:

 

[King]

Fook. This is the leftie we should have signed......

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Fook. This is the leftie we should have signed......

I don't think we ever had a prayer of signing him.

 

[THOWIG]

Expect him to be one of the stars of next season.

 

[mil1lion]

Joe Cole can play on the right BTW

 

[donny1013]

I was gonna say about Cole playing on the right, BUT Anelka played there under Hiddink when Drogba was back in the side and he was EPL top scorer. I know it's a squad game nowadays but Cole will know he needs to be a first team regular as injury has meant not featuring for England last season, especially in WC year. He also has a year left on his contract.

 

[brasil_spur]

Joe Cole can play on the right BTW

For Chelsea yes, but that won't help him get in the England team as he'll be competing with Beckham, Walcott, Lennon, SWP, Milner etc..

He has to be playing on the left regularly this season for someone if he wants to be a england first teamer come world cup time.

Can't think of any other english clubs that he would sign for and that could afford him.

 

[donny1013]

It's official

 

[brasil_spur]

nice, then it's about time we announced our signing of Joe Cole :wink:

 

[Kendall]

Yeah Joe Cole must leave now. I would say he's behind Malouda as well these days.

 

[King]

I don't think we ever had a prayer of signing him.

Me thinks we had a tiny chance before the Euro Championship and perhaps a short while after. Nowadays we'll have to rely on Tinkerbell to get players of his quality.