'Yuri is the best footballer in Russia'

Roman Pavlyuchenko told uefa.com that imminent Chelsea FC addition Yuri Zhirkov can "become a team leader" for the English side, while Miloš Krasić called him "the best footballer in Russia".

'A great professional'
Rumour has it that Russia coach Guus Hiddink told Chelsea to sign Zhirkov after ending his spell as caretaker manager of the London club at the end of last season, and while a reported €21m has been paid to PFC CSKA Moskva for the left-sided midfielder, many of his countrymen feel that Roman Abramovich has got himself a bargain. Tottenham Hotspur FC striker Pavlyuchenko is looking forward to seeing his international team-mate in London, telling uefa.com: "I'm very glad Yuri has moved to Chelsea. It's a once-in-a-lifetime offer and you have to say 'yes'. Zhirkov is a great professional. He could become a team leader. The only problem is his knowledge of the English language. If he masters that, all will be well."

Football crazy
The 25-year-old started his career with his local side, FC Spartak Tambov, aged ten and his first coach Valeri Sharapov spotted an intense attitude straight away. "His control of the ball is a natural gift," he said. "Even after training, he stayed outside to play with his friends and went to sleep with the ball." Swiftly rising through the ranks, Zhirkov was a first-team player by 2001, and scored 16 third-division goals for the club in 2003. He was promptly shipped off to the capital for trials, with FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FC Spartak Moskva having a look over him before CSKA snapped him up.

'The best'
It proved to be an astute deal. Having won the Russian Super Cup on his debut for the club in March 2004, as CSKA beat Spartak 3-1, he swiftly became a first-team regular. Zhirkov went on to win two Premier-Liga titles, three Russian Cups and the 2004/05 UEFA Cup with the Army Men, as well as starring with Russia at UEFA EURO 2008™. CSKA and Serbia midfielder Krasić said: "For me, Yuri is the best footballer in Russia. At the EURO, he showed his class to the world. He also played consistently for the club. I am not surprised Chelsea came in for him. Zhirkov is totally worth it."

Low key
Capped 31 times by Russia, Zhirkov's performances may have caught the eye, but the player himself does his best to avoid the public gaze. His wedding, just prior to a national-team training camp in Turkey last February, was an intimate affair and he has avoided the bright lights, preferring to spend his free time in his wife's home city – Kaliningrad. However, for all of his shyness, his class and integrity have shone through. Russian assistant coach Aleksandr Boroduk told uefa.com: "One of his biggest strengths is that he continues to outdo himself. That tells you all about his character. I also want to underline his personal qualities: he is a fabulous person."