Source: Team_Talk
Zhirkov close to Bridge exit
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas expects Yury Zhirkov to complete his move to Anzhi Makhachkala in his native Russia.[LNB] The Portuguese had just seen his side claim a 3-1 friendly win over Rangers at Ibrox, and was pressed on Zhirkov's future at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]He said: "Yury is in between reaching a full agreement, between club and player, with Anzhi and in the end it was mostly his decision.[LNB]"It is a great financial offer for him, it is a return home and I think he has decided to part company. But still the deal isn't done yet."[LNB]Asked about the possibility of making another bid for Tottenham's Luka Modric, he replied: "I have been answering a lot about it and I won't make any further comment."[LNB]Villas-Boas was more lucid about his interest in Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku.[LNB]Chelsea have been monitoring Lukaku for some time and the Blues reportedly had an £18million offer turned down for the player last month.[LNB]He said: "He is a very interesting young prospect and the situation is now that we have to position ourselves to maybe get this kind of talent.[LNB]"So I would say that anything can happen."[LNB]The Blues coach was relaxed after a comfortable afternoon for the Londoners.[LNB]Nikica Jelavic headed the Scottish champions in to the lead after six minutes but Daniel Sturridge's first-half double and a header from Florent Malouda, emphasised the gap in class between the two sides.[LNB]The scoreline could have been worse for the home side had substitute keeper Neil Alexander, on for Allan McGregor at the interval, not saved Frank Lampard's penalty.[LNB]The Stamford Bridge coach was impressed with Sturridge who was on loan to Bolton in the second half of last season.[LNB]He said: "He has been sparking in this pre-season. It is nothing new, it is what he was doing in Bolton and he deserves his chance.[LNB]"He has been showing his qualities and we will count on him this season with a different perspective."[LNB]Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel limped off injured in the first half, and the coach explained why: "He had a knock which he suffered a few days ago in training.[LNB]"He had an injection before the game to avoid pain but it was getting pretty nasty for him and we decided to take him out of the game.[LNB]"We will evaluate the situation and make a decision because he is one of our players involved in the international break."[LNB]He added: "We are pretty happy with how we played.[LNB]"We will lose a lot of people during the international break but from Thursday we will start preparing for Stoke.[LNB]"We will see what happens with injuries and the time the players have with their international teams before we pick the team."
