Source: Telegraph
Chelsea look to Yuri Zhirkov on Guus Hiddink's recommendation
Zhirkov has become the focal point of Hiddink's Russia side and is highly rated by the Dutchman, who will continue his duties as national team manager in tandem with his responsibilities with Chelsea.[LNB]The CSKA playmaker, 25, is likely to cost Chelsea in the region of £15 million, according to a report in the Sun newspaper.[LNB] Related ArticlesLampard keen to avoid Liverpool[LNB]Five goal-line blunders[LNB]Juventus 2 Chelsea 2: Agg: 2-3[LNB]Juventus v Chelsea: Man marking[LNB]Hiddink restores feel-good factor[LNB]Drogba stops sulking - and scores[LNB]Zhirkov impressed during CSKA's recent Uefa Cup double header with Aston Villa and Abramovich, who has cut back his spending at Chelsea since the global economic downturn took hold, is willing to release the funds necessary to sign him.[LNB]CSKA's manager, Brazilian legend Zico, is in no doubt Zhirkov would be an instant success in English football, should the deal go through as expected.[LNB]'Zhirkov is a player of such high level, he would only show his potential playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League,' said Zico.[LNB]'He'd easily fit into Chelsea's first-choice team. I don't like to lose him but I won't stop his move to London.'[LNB]Should Zhirkov move to west London, the Russian side would likely use some of the transfer fee to replace him with Everton's Steven Pienaar.[LNB]CSKA believe a deal could be struck with Everton for the South African for a fee of around £8 million and would offer Pienaar a £3 million-a-year contract, vastly improving the wages he is currently on at Goodison Park.[LNB]
