Chelsea Transfer News: Yuri Zhirkov Joins Russian Side FC Anzhi Makhachkala

Zhirkov: Back to Russia

Reports in Russia suggest that Chelsea’s 28 year old left back/left midfielder, Yuri Zhirkov, has joined Russian Premier League side FC Anzhi Makhachkala.

Zhirkov, who joined Chelsea in 2009 from CSKA Moscow on a three year deal for a reported £18M, has been spotted at the Moscow training base of mega rich club Anzhi Makhachkala and was said to be going through a medical.

Zhirkov played just 21 games last season for Chelsea and with the emergence of Josh McEachran on the left wing, chances of making an appearance would have been further reduced for the Russian.

At the end of last season, where Chelsea finished second and coach Carlo Ancelotti was sacked, Zhirkov admitted:

“Unfortunately at Chelsea I haven’t had enough match practice in the last season. I want to play football and not sit on the bench.“I can’t say anything more on the subject. We’ll see how everything goes. There’s not point ruling out a return to Russia.”

The Russian club Anzhi were bought by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov earlier this year and have been looking for high-profile signings to join the legendary Roberto Carlos, whom they bought from Brazilian club Corinthians. The club has also been linked with a few high profile names including the likes of Neymar, Ganso, Pastore and Eto’o.

Zhrikov’s departure will free a slot for a foreign player (in the 25 player list that a club has to officially deposit to the premier league) which hints that Chelsea are ready to bring in another foreign player with the buzz being that a certain Croat (read, Luka Modric) is high on Abramovich’s wishlist.