Yuri Zhirkov was a Zenit St. Petersburg player when he represented Russia at the Euro 2020 tournament this summer. He was oldest player in the Russian squad at the age of 28. The former Dynamo Moscow fullback started the tournament in the Russia starting XI before injury struck.
Former Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov has, in agreement with a lot of former players, current players, and fans, admitted that Chelsea star Mason Mount has a bright future ahead of him. The England international star was one of the shining lights at Stamford Bridge last summer as he put in a consistent display of fine performances both in the Premier League and in the Champions League.
While there continue to be loads of indications that English Premier League side Chelsea will continue their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this summer, there are also signs that the German Bundesliga giants will not be letting go of the Norwegian striker, at least not in this summer. Haaland is Chelsea’s prime target and they have reportedly halted their chase of any other player as they try to channel all of their focus on signing the Norwegian international forward this summer at all cost.
Veteran Zenit St. Petersburg defender Yuri Zhirkov picked up a knee injury during the Group B clash between Russia and Belgium at the weekend at the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament thus making him a big doubt for the next group game for the Russians.
Former Chelsea star Yuri Zhirkov has hailed his former side and revealed that they are currently building a top attacking team that will be able to come against any opposition side both in the Premier League and in Europe.
Football fans across the world have already started counting the days and are currently waiting for the 29th of May to come as soon as possible because it is the day when Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester City will battle each other for European glory in Portugal. All eyes are currently on that massive fixture as it is one that will see one of the two clubs end up being crowned as the Champions of Europe.
Former Chelsea midfield star Yuri Zhirkov has been looking back on his playing career recently and while he has some positives to pick from it, he also has some regrets to look back to as well. Signed by Chelsea from the Russian Super League some years ago, Zhirkov was expected to be a hit at Stamford Bridge after his brilliant performances for Russia at the Euros 2006. He was also a star player for his club side and had a hand in a run of fine performances and good results they were able to record, and he immediately became a highly sought-after player.
Back in the summer transfer window of 2009, in June particularly, there was a loud wave of excitement all around Stamford Bridge after several media outlets reported that Chelsea were getting so close to signing Yuri Zhirkov. The manager at Chelsea as at then, Guus Hiddink was the man in charge of orchestrating the transfer and was doing so after helping the Blues win the FA Cup.
Every club has one time or another, made one or even more transfers that would eventually turn sour and the player would not live up to the hype that would have probably surrounded him before sealing the switch. For Chelsea, one of those transfers is Russian star Yuri Zhirkov who was signed from Russian Premier League side CSKA Moscow back in the summer transfer window of 2009.
Russian national team veteran Yuri Zhirkov has been a worthy servant for his country for the better part of the last two decades. The 37-year-old Russian international plays his club football in the colours of defending champions Zenit St. Petersburg in the top flight of club football in Russia. Yuri Zhirkov was at Dynamo Moscow in the same Russian Premier League before he left to sign for Zenit St. Petersburg in 2016. Yuri Zhirkov had been at Anzhi Makhachkala FC of Russia until 2013 when he signed for Dynamo Moscow. The ex-Chelsea player was a Dynamo Moscow player for three years from 2013 to 2016. Yuri Zhirkov is a utility player who can function well either as a left-back or as a left winger. He has been playing for the Russian national team for 16 years and counting since his debut in 2005. Since his first game for his country, Yuri Zhirkov has scored two times in century of games. His Russia debut came during the defeat to Italy in the Italian city of Cagliari. Zhirkov and Russia were on the receiving end of a 2-0 friendly defeat at the hands of the Italians.
