Yuri Zhirkov
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| Yuri Zhirkov | |
| |
| Full Name | Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov |
| Date of Birth | 20 August 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Tambov, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Position | Left back Left winger |
| Chelsea career | 2009 - 2011 |
| Debut | 23 September 2009 |
| Games (goals) | 49 (1) |
| Other clubs | Spartak Tambov CSKA Moscow Anzhi Makhachkala Dynamo Moscow |
Yuri Valentinovich Zhirkov (born 20 August 1983 in Tambov, Russia) is a Russian international who played for Chelsea from 2009 until 2011, having signed from CSKA Moscow. He returned to Russia to join Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2011. Capable of playing in multiple positions on the left flank, he played at left back and in more advanced roles for Chelsea.
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Before Chelsea
Zhirkov started his career at FC Spartak Tambov where he scored 26 goals in 74 games playing as a winger before moving to CSKA Moscow in January 2004. His first participation in an official game was on 7 March 2004 in the Russian Super Cup against Spartak Moscow. CSKA's 3-1 victory gave Yuri his first trophy. Zhirkov made his debut in the Champions League on 27 July against Neftchi Baku PFC. He also appeared in the third qualifying round against Rangers F.C.
Over the next five years Zhirkov would win the Russian Premier League twice and the Russian Cup four times. In addition to domestic success, CSKA won the 2004-05 UEFA Cup, with Zhirkov scoring in the final as the Russian team beat Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon 3–1. His goal against Hamburger SV in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07 was chosen as best goal of the competition by UEFA Magazine "Goal". He made six appearances in the group stages, scoring once. In recognition of his performances for both CSKA and the Russian national side, in October 2008 Zhirkov was named as one of the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award, given to the top player in Europe [1].
Following impressive performances both in Europe for CSKA and in Euro 2008 for Russia, Zhirkov had attracted interest from Chelsea and signed for the club on 6 July 2009 for a reported £18m fee [2].
Chelsea career
2009-10
Zhirkov scored on his debut, in a friendly against AC Milan, but sustained a knee injury in pre-season that led to him missing the start of the season. He eventually made his competitive debut at left back against Queens Park Rangers in a Carling Cup tie on September 23. Zhirkov made his full Champions League debut for Chelsea on 25 November against Porto, playing at left back and setting up the goal for team-mate Nicolas Anelka in a 1-0 win. The Russian had to wait until 20 December to make his Premier League debut, coming on as a substitute for Joe Cole against West Ham United. He made his first Premier League start in a 2-1 victory over Fulham on 28 December. After Ashley Cole sustained a serious injury against Everton on 10 February, which ruled him out for three months, Zhirkov was presented with the opportunity of an extended run in the first team. He would go on to make 17 appearances in the league, earning a Premier League winners' medal in his debut season in west London. He also won an FA Cup winners' medal as an unused substitute in the final against Portsmouth, having contributed to Chelsea's run to the final with four appearances in the competition.
2010-11
Zhirkov played a largely peripheral role during the 2010-11 season, making 22 appearances but failing to establish himself in the starting line-up. Among the Russian's notable contributions was a spectacular strike against Spartak Moscow in the Champions League group stage; his first (and only) competitive goal for the club. He also made an impact in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United in March that kept Chelsea's title hopes alive. A 60th minute substitute for Florent Malouda, Zhirkov won a penalty following a run into the area. Frank Lampard despatched what would turn out to be the winner.
After Chelsea
Having failed to settle during his injury-hit spell Stamford Bridge, Zhirkov left the club after two seasons to join Russian Premier League side FC Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £13m. [3]
International
Having made his full international debut in 2005, Zhirkov was named to the UEFA Euro 2008 Team of the Tournament, a competition in which Russia reached the semi-finals. On 18 November 2009, Zhirkov received his first red card for the national side – he was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence in the dying minutes of Russia's 1-0 away loss to Slovenia in the 2nd leg of the 2010 World Cup playoff after pushing a Slovenian substitute, with the Russians missing out on qualification.
Statistics
| Season | Prem | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2009-10 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| 2010-11 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| Total | 29 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 1 |
Goals
| # | Season | Date | Year | Competition | Opponent | Score | Result | Venue |
| 1 | 2010-11 | 19 October | 2010 | UEFA Champions League | Spartak Moscow | 1-0 | 2-0 | Luzhniki Stadium |
Career honours
- CSKA Moscow
- UEFA Cup: 2005
- Russian Premier League: 2005, 2006
- Russian Cup: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
- Russian Super Cup: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
- Chelsea
