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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

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” →