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Blues close in on Zhirkov

30 Jun 2009 - 15:41:05

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Reports suggest Chelsea are on the verge of sealing an £18million deal to bring CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov to Stamford Bridge.

Sportsmail is reporting that Blues owner Roman Abramovich has agreed a deal with CSKA president Yevgeny Giner that will see Zhirkov pen a three-year contract with the FA Cup holders.

CSKA manager Zico is preparing for Zhirkov's departure, saying: "Currently in football there is no player who is able to replace him.

"Zhirkov to CSKA is like Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United or Kaka to AC Milan.

"As we know, both players moved to Real Madrid and I think their former clubs will be seriously concerned about how they will do in the future without their star players.

"Remember how Manchester looked last season when Cristiano Ronaldo was missing. The attack of the team looked much weaker."

Zhirkov has gained plenty of Champions League experience with CSKA, scoring a particularly memorable goal against Hamburg in the 2006-07 campaign.

Known as 'the Russian Ronaldinho' for his dribbling skills and audacity, the 25-year-old made his international debut in 2005 and often starts on the left wing in a 3-5-2 formation for Guus Hiddink's side.