ZHIRKOV: 2005 UEFA CUP FINAL REVIEWED

Russian defender Yuri Zhirkov was amongst the goals as CSKA Moscow beat Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the 2005 UEFA Cup final. Yuri Zhirkovscored one of the goals as CSKA Moscow won the UEFA Cup by beating home team Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in the final. The Russians came from behind to beat their Portuguese opponents thanks to three goals in the second half.


In the 2005 UEFA Cup final at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Yuri Zhirkov started on the left side of defence forCSKA Moscow, while VasiliBeretzuski in front of goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. Alexei Beretzuksi and Sergei Ignashevich were the central defenders for the Russians.ChidiOdiah, EgveniAldonin, Daniel Carvalho and ElvirRahimic were the midfielders, while Ivica Olic and Vagner Love started in attack. Continue reading “ZHIRKOV: 2005 UEFA CUP FINAL REVIEWED”

REPORT: DEFENDER’S SUMMER CHELSEA TRANSFER ONLY A MATTER OF TIME

Transfer fees are no longer a problem in the negotiations between Chelsea and Sevilla as Jules Kounde is on the verge of a Stamford Bridge move, according to Diario AS. The Spanish outlet claims that the 23-year-old’s Chelsea transfer is now just “a matter of time”. Kounde has already agreed personal terms to join the Blues, while the west London club’s ownership situation, which was obviously an issue, has reached its conclusion.

Chelsea are expected to pay between €60million and €65m (£51.5m-£55.8m) for the centre-back. Sevilla themselves have begun identifying potential replacements for both Kounde and Diego Carlos, whose transfer to Aston Villa has already been confirmed. Kounde is currently away on international duty with France for their UEFA Nations League fixtures.For Chelsea, Kounde’s potential arrival would not end their search for new defenders. Continue reading “REPORT: DEFENDER’S SUMMER CHELSEA TRANSFER ONLY A MATTER OF TIME”

            THROWBACK TO WHEN CHELSEA SIGNED YURI ZHIRKOV

Euro 2008 saw the emergence of the Russian national team, which resulted in the export of a few of the finest Russian football players to the major leagues in the world.


In 2009, Andrei Arshavin mesmerized the world with his dazzling football talent and skills. At the same time, many predicted that it would not take long for another rising star in the team, Yuri Zhirkov, to move beyond the Russian Premier League, where he was awarded the Russian Footballer of the Year in 2008. The then CSKA Moskva man, known for his great pace, dribbling and versatility, is set to make his mark on a bigger stage. Continue reading “            THROWBACK TO WHEN CHELSEA SIGNED YURI ZHIRKOV”

YURI ZHIRKOV: CAREER IN SUMMARY

Yuri Zhirkov is a Russian left-sided player who performed well in a number of positions. He can play as a left-back, a left winger and a left midfielder. He began his career in the youth team at Spartak Tambov in his native Russia. Yuri Zhirkov made his professional bow at Tambov and he was in the first team for three years before signing for fellow Russian side CSKA Moscow.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3tMpQkXEAM7JzE.jpg

Zhirkov began to gain European recognition with his performances for CSKA Moscow. He won the Russian Cup, Russian Premier League, Russian Super Cup and UEFA Cup titles at CSKA Moscow before leaving Russia for the first time when it comes to his professional football career. The Russian signed for Premier League heavyweights Chelsea in 2009 after the London club paid £18m to sign him from CSKA Moscow.
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ZHIRKOV: CSKA MOSCOW CAREER EXAMINED

Russian left-sided defender Yuri Zhirkov started his career at Spartak Tambov before joining fellow Russian club CSKA Moscow in January 2004. His CSKA Moscow debutcame during the Russian Super Cup clash with Spartak Moscow which ended in a 3-1 win for his team thus winning his first trophy in professional football. The said Russian Super Cup was played on March 7, 2004.


Yuri Zhirkov made his Champions League debut in CSKA Moscow colours on July 27, 2004. His Champions League bow was against Neftchi Baku of Azerbaijan during the qualifiers. Continue reading “ZHIRKOV: CSKA MOSCOW CAREER EXAMINED”

YURI ZHIRKOV: ANZHI CAREER EXAMINED

Russian left-back Yuri Zhirkov spent two years at Premier League side Chelsea before returning to his country in the summer of 2011. It turned out to be the only years spent outside of the Russian league for Zhirkov. He signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2009 and was part of the Premier League title-winning squad in his first season in West London.


Yuri Zhirkov had moved to Chelsea from CSKA Moscow in a deal worth £18m thus making him the most expensive Russian player at the time as his transfer surpassed the £15m Arsenal paid to sign Andrei Arshavinsome months earlier. Zhirkov put pen to paper on a four-year deal and he was at the club for just two years before his return to Russia in the colours of Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee believed to around £13.2m. Chelsea announced his departure from the club officially in August 2011. Continue reading “YURI ZHIRKOV: ANZHI CAREER EXAMINED”

ZHIRKOV: RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM CAREER PROBED

Russian defender Yuri Zhirkov made played his first game for the senior team against Italy in Cagliari on February 9, 2005. He was named in the starting XI as Russia suffered a 2-0 international friendly defeat at the hands of their hosts.

Yuri Zhirkov made his tournament bow for the Russian senior team at the Euro 2008 tournament and he was an important player for the team on the way to a surprising exit at the semi-final stage. Russia exceeded expectations by reaching the last four at the Euro 2008 tournament in Switzerland and Austria. Zhirkov was named in the Team of the Tournament and the left-back also made the list of 30 nominees for the 2008 Ballon d’Or. In the end, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was named the recipient of the 2008 Ballon d’Or award. Continue reading “ZHIRKOV: RUSSIAN NATIONAL TEAM CAREER PROBED”

ZHIRKOV: CSKA MOSCOW CAREER EXAMINED

Russian left-back Yuri Zhirkov began his professional career at Sparta Tambov before he signed for CSKA Moscow during the winter transfer window in 2004. His debut for CSKA Moscow came during the Russian Super Cup clash with Spartak Moscow and he was able to win his first trophy thanks to a 3-1 victory at the end of the game. His Champions League debut came against Neftchi Baku on July 27, 2004. He also played against Scottish Premiership giants Rangers in the third qualifying round of that Champions League season.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Echlrq9VcAEr1Hi.jpg

Yuri Zhirkov was part of the CSKA Moscow team that won the UEFA Cup title at the end of the 2004/05. The left-sided player was one of the goalscorers as CSKA Moscow beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1 in the final. Zhirkov scored the second CSKA Moscow goal in that final. CSKA Moscow made history as the first Russian team to win the UEFA Cup.
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ZHIRKOV: DYNAMO MOSCOW CAREER EXAMINED

Veteran Russian left-back Yuri Zhirkov spent two years as an Anzhi Makhachkala player on the back of his spell in the Premier League with West London giants Chelsea. Yuri Zhirkov had a two-year spell at Chelsea until his transfer back to Russia in the colours of Anzhi in 2011.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaNWkQMWIAASZO5.jpg

On August 6, 2013, AnzhiMakhachkala put their whole first team squad for sale following the decision to concentrate on youth development. To this effect, Zhirkov and others left the club to join some of the other clubs in the Russian top flight. Yuri Zhirkov was one of the three players who first left Anzhi Makhachkala to sign for the same club, Dynamo Moscow. Russian international Yuri Zhirkovsigned for Dynamo Moscow alongsideAleksandrKokorin and Igor Denisov on August 15, 2013 for an undisclosed fee.
Continue reading “ZHIRKOV: DYNAMO MOSCOW CAREER EXAMINED”

ZHIRKOV: 2005 UEFA CUP FINAL REVIEWED

Russian left-back Yuri Zhirkov scored one of the goals as his CSKA Moscow side see off Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in the 2005 UEFA CUP final to win the 2004/05 UEFA CUP title. Yuri Zhirkov scored the second CSKA Moscow on the way to the 3-1 win over their Portuguese top flight opponents.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Echlrq9VcAEr1Hi.jpg

Yuri Zhirkov started the Sporting Lisbon game on the left side of the CSKA Moscow game and he was on from start to finish as the Russians won the biggest trophy of their history. Zhirkov won a lot of trophies during his time at CSKA Moscow but none was bigger than the UEFA CUP, an European title.
Continue reading “ZHIRKOV: 2005 UEFA CUP FINAL REVIEWED”