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Yuri Zhirkov Set To Make Chelsea Debut
The £18 million signing is to make his debut against coach Carlo Ancelotti's old club.
Jul 24, 2009 6:06:42 AM
Chelsea's major purchase of the summer, Yuri Zhirkov, is ready to make his debut in tonight's friendly with Milan.
The Russian, who can play at both left-back and left-wing, has previously been frustrated by work permit issues, delaying his debut for his new club.
However, these problems have now been resolved and he is available for selection.
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti told The Guardian, "Zhirkov is working very well now. He can play against Milan for the first time for Chelsea. I will give him this opportunity to play with us. For me, he's a new player and a very good player. We can use his quality for our team. He will play."
The game will be played in front of a sell-out 72,000 crowd in Baltimore and for the Italian coach it is not just a pre-season friendly - it is a chance to renew acquaintances with old friends so soon after leaving the club he was a part of as both a player and coach.
"I knew this game was coming and I'm excited by it," he enthused. "For sure, it's not a normal game for me. Playing against Milan, where I was coaching for eight years, is a different thing for me. But I want to stay with my mind on my team because it's an important moment now. We have to improve and I want to know how this team can play."
John Silk, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
The Russian, who can play at both left-back and left-wing, has previously been frustrated by work permit issues, delaying his debut for his new club.
However, these problems have now been resolved and he is available for selection.
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti told The Guardian, "Zhirkov is working very well now. He can play against Milan for the first time for Chelsea. I will give him this opportunity to play with us. For me, he's a new player and a very good player. We can use his quality for our team. He will play."
The game will be played in front of a sell-out 72,000 crowd in Baltimore and for the Italian coach it is not just a pre-season friendly - it is a chance to renew acquaintances with old friends so soon after leaving the club he was a part of as both a player and coach.
"I knew this game was coming and I'm excited by it," he enthused. "For sure, it's not a normal game for me. Playing against Milan, where I was coaching for eight years, is a different thing for me. But I want to stay with my mind on my team because it's an important moment now. We have to improve and I want to know how this team can play."
John Silk, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section!
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