Chelsea sign Yuri Zhirkov

Chelsea’s ‘army” is growing !

Yuri Zhirkov , the left-sided wing-back from CSKA Moscow finally made his move.

The 25 –year-old Russian international Yuri Zhirkov has signed for Chelsea a three-year contract after the London club agreed to pay 21m euro to CSKA Moscow.

“ Any footballer would be happy to sign a contract with Chelsea and at any time”, the Russian said. Zhirkov played 31 times for his country as he made his professional debut at FC Spartak Tambov on august 2001. He joined CSKA at the end of 2003 and was two times champion of the Russian League, three times winner of the Russian Cup and also won the UEFA Cup in 2005.

Yuri Zhirkov was also among the 30 nominees for last year’s European Footballer of the year award and was voted Russia’s Footballer of the year in 2008.

He is a left-sided player who is quick and energetic. He scored 15 goals in 139 appearances for CSKA.

Zhirkov made his international debut in the winter of 2005 in a match against Italy and was named in the UEFA Team of the Tournament at Euro 2008 when he reached the semifinals playing for his country.

So it looks like Chelsea got themselves a player with a lot of potential. The only problem he appears to have so far is finding a way to get over the language barrier. As he himself has said he did not take Roman Abramovich’s advice to learn English seriously and he may now have a communication problem.

“ Now I know I should have taken his advice more seriously, but back then ( may 2006) I did not think I would ever need it for my football career”, the Russian declared to Eurosport.

The 25-year-old has now joined a growing number of Russian players active in London along with Andrei Ashavin ( Arsenal ) and Roman Pavlyuchenko ( Tottenham Hotspur).

Player Factfile:

1983: Born on August 20 in Tambov, Russia

2001: Joins Spartak Tamborov and goes on to score 26 goals in 74 games.

2004: January - Joins CSKA Moscow.

March 7 - Makes his debut against Spartak Moscow in the Russian Super Cup with CSKA winning 3-1.

March 12 - Makes his first appearance in the Russian Championship against FC Moscow in a 0-0 draw.

April 3 - Scores his first goal for CSKA in a 3-3 draw against Zenit St Petersburg.

2005: February 9 - Makes his international debut for Russia against Italy.

May 18 - Scores as CSKA win the UEFA Cup final with a 3-1 victory against Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese capital.

2006: December 6 - Scores a memorable goal against Hamburg in the Champions League.

2008: June 26 - Russia lose 3-0 to Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2008 but Zhirkov comes to the fore after a strong performance in the tournament.

2009: July 6 - Chelsea agree fee with CSKA to sign Zhirkov.

Rafa won't be drawn on Alonso

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is remaining tight-lipped about reports suggesting Spain international midfielder Xabi Alonso could move to Real Madrid before the season starts.

Alonso was quoted as saying he was flattered to be linked with a side that has already signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka this summer.

The Reds are currently in Bangkok as they prepare for pre-season friendlies against Thailand and Singapore later this week.

When asked about Alonso, Benitez played a dead bat, saying: "He is here with us and he will be available for the games.

"The Spanish players and (Andrea) Dossena and (Javier) Mascherano arrived back late because of the Confederations Cup and internationals, so they will probably not play as much as the other players.

"Alonso is here with us this week. He can enjoy the games, the weather and the journalists.

"For us this is a really important stage of the season. Everything we do during pre-season is about planning for the first game. We will continue to prepare the players well this week and look to play well in the games.

"It was disappointing to lose in Vienna because you always want to win games, but there were lots of positives to take from the game. Hopefully we can keep working well, and keep working hard, over here."

Riise set to join Cottagers

Norway international Bjorn Helge Riise is expected to complete his transfer from Lillestrom to Fulham later this week.

The 26-year-old is the younger brother of former Liverpool defender John Arne and, if he seals his switch to Craven Cottage, will team up with fellow Norwegian Brett Hangeland at Fulham.

A brief statement on the Cottagers' official website read: "Fulham can confirm that Norwegian midfield player Bjorn Helge Riise has travelled to London for talks with the club, and is currently undergoing a medical examination.

"This process is not due to be completed until late on Tuesday evening and therefore the club cannot comment further on any speculation until this time."

Earlier in the day, Riise's agent, Tore Pedersen, confirmed a deal was close, telling skysports.com: "We are in talks with Fulham about a move.

"I am having some meetings and hopefully I will have more news later."

Can United replace Ronaldo?

Right Decision to sell Ronaldo?

By Shane Edwards

Manchester United have shocked the football world after accepting an £80million offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's Old Trafford future had been the subject of intense speculation since the end of the season and Real finally appear to have landed their man after being granted permission to speak with the Portugal international.

The decision to sell Ronaldo was taken solely by manager Sir Alex Ferguson. A spokesman for the Glazer family said "It was purely a football decision and had nothing to do with the financial structure of the club."

It is understood that the full £80million will be made available for Sir Alex Ferguson to invest in the transfer market this summer.

We are looking for fans opinions on this move. Do you think this was the right decision for the club? Can Ronaldo be replaced? Could we see some of this money spent on securing the ownership of Carlos Tevez?

Transfer Hot Gossip

• Ancelotti: Terry will stay put

New Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti is certain that captain John Terry will still be at Stamford Bridge next season.

The 28-year-old England skipper has been the subject of a major bid from Manchester City recently, but Ancelotti expects the central defender to stay put.

• Tigers deny Barton rumours

Hull City have dismissed rumours linking them with a move to sign Newcastle United's England midfielder Joey Barton.

The 27-year-old, best known for a series of off-field problems, has been reported to be interesting a number of top-flight clubs, with the Magpies facing up to life in the Championship next season.

• Gunners striker links denied

Real Madrid and Bordeaux have denied fielding offers from Arsenal for strikers Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Marouane Chamakh respectively.

The Gunners are reported to be weighing up their options with Emmanuel Adebayor seemingly set to leave for Manchester City, but as yet no serious bids have been made.

• Spurs confirm Crouch interest

Tottenham Hotspur have joined the chase to sign England striker Peter Crouch from Premier League rivals Portsmouth.

The 28-year-old has already held talks with Sunderland this summer, while Fulham are also interesting in tempting Crouch away from Fratton Park.

• Hornets make Travner signing

Watford have sealed the signing of Slovenian defender Jure Travner from NK Celje.

The 23-year-old Under-21 international moves to Vicarge Road for an undisclosed fee, having penned a two-year contract which also includes an option for a further 12 months.

• Stuttgart eye Huntelaar deal

VfB Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel remains hopeful that his club can persuade Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to head to Germany.

Netherlands international Huntelaar only joined Real in January and scored eight times in 20 appearances, but is now surplus to requirements following the arrivals of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

• Emery confident of Villa stay

Valencia coach Unai Emery has no doubts that star striker David Villa will still be with the club next season.

The 27-year-old Spain international came close to exiting the Mestalla earlier this summer, while Barcelona have yet to give up on their bid to lure Villa to the Camp Nou.

• Hamburg secure Berg signing

German outfit Hamburg have won the race to sign Groningen's Swedish striker Marcus Berg, who had also been tracked by a number of English clubs.

The 22-year-old recently sprang to prominence in the European Under-21 Championships on home soil, scoring seven goals in four games as the hosts reached the semi-finals of the competition.

• Laporta: Barca close to Ibra

Barcelona and Internazionale are close to sealing a swap deal involving strikers Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to Barca president Joan Laporta.

The deal will also see Belarus winger Alex Hleb head to the San Siro on a season-long loan, although Laporta also admitted that nothing is certain just yet.

• Prandelli: Melo had to leave

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli believes that his club had no option other than to allow Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo to leave the club this summer.

The 25-year-old South American has joined Serie A rivals Juventus, having spent just one season in Florence.

AC Milan boss keen on Becks return

AC Milan coach Leonardo would welcome David Beckham back at the San Siro.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder impressed during a six-month loan spell with the Rossoneri last season and speculation is rife that he will return to Milan in January.
Come Beck: AC Milan have opened the door for LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham's San Siro return
Beckham went to visit his former team-mates at their LA training ground ahead of a pre-season friendly between the Galaxy and Milan.
And Leonardo admits there is a very real possibility the England international will be back at the San Siro soon.
'David had and has a good rapport with all of us,' the Milan boss told the club's official website.
'He helped us so much when he wore our shirt. Moreover, he is a good person and also the very fact that he came here to see us proves how much he feels for us.
'It was a really nice gesture,' he said.
Sportsmail understands both Tottenham and Chelsea are keen to offer the former Manchester United star a Premier League escape route from the MLS but the Brazilian believes he can still play a part in Serie A for the Rossoneri.
He added: 'David is without doubt a very intelligent player and I don't think there is anything strange to say that he could come back into my plans, because he can fit into any system.'
EXCLUSIVE: Spurs join Blues in Becks chase as Redknapp targets CrouchI've received approaches from Premier League suitors, reveals David Beckham CHELSEA FC

Baryern gives up on Bosingwa

Bayern Munich have decided not to pursue their interest in Chelsea's Portugal international defender Jose Bosingwa.
The Bundesliga giants have been chasing Bosingwa for more than a month but have now decided to turn their attention elsewhere as they search for a new right-back.
"Bayern Munich have decided not to pursue their interest in Chelsea's Portugal international defender Jose Bosingwa.

The Bundesliga giants have been chasing Bosingwa for more than a month but have now decided to turn their attention elsewhere as they search for a new right-back.
"We're not done yet on the transfer market, as we still want to add a right-back to our squad," Bayern chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge told Bild.

"However, Jose Bosingwa is no longer one of the candidates to join us.
"We were keen to sign him this summer, but Chelsea simply refuse to let go of him. Therefore, we have to accept that he stays at Chelsea and set our sights to another right-back."

Bosingwa moved to Stamford Bridge last summer from FC Porto and went on to feature in 48 matches for the FA Cup winners.
Bayern have also been linked with Schalke right-back Rafinha and Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna recently.We're not done yet on the transfer market, as we still want to add a right-back to our squad," Bayern chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge told Bild.

"However, Jose Bosingwa is no longer one of the candidates to join us.
"We were keen to sign him this summer, but Chelsea simply refuse to let go of him. Therefore, we have to accept that he stays at Chelsea and set our sights to another right-back."
Bosingwa moved to Stamford Bridge last summer from FC Porto and went on to feature in 48 matches for the FA Cup winners.

Bayern have also been linked with Schalke right-back Rafinha and Shakhtar Donetsk's Darijo Srna recently.

Barcelona still chasing David Villa

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes that his club still have a chance of signing Spain international striker David Villa from Valencia this summer.

The 27-year-old had seemed set to leave Los Che earlier this summer, only for Valencia to decide that Villa was not for sale.

However, Laporta said: "The signing of David Villa has not been ruled out. We have not ruled out any of the possibilities open to us.

"Our technical secretary remains in contact with him because he understands the anxiety of a player for whom, if the clubs had reached an agreement, things would have gone in a different direction."

"We do have a tentative deal for (Internazionale's) Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it would be early to say which of the two is best - Ibra or David Villa.

"In the end we will consider the best option for Barca."

City's Stiker: Manchester City have sealed Adebayor deal

Manchester City have completed the signing of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £25million.

The 25-year-old has penned a five-year contract at Eastlands after successfully passing a medical to seal his move north from the Gunners.

Citizens manager Mark Hughes told his club's official website: "Emmanuel has been one of the top forwards in the Premier League since he arrived from France and we are delighted he has agreed to come and join us.

"Along with the other signings we have made in the last two windows he will greatly enhance our ability to compete with the top sides.

"His arrival is another clear indication that we are determined to augment the players we have here with the best of international talent.

"He adds vital balance and power to our attack. He has everything a top forward needs. He is versatile, powerful, quick and agile on the ball.

"I am looking forward to working with him as are the rest of the staff. He will definitely add a new dimension to our play."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had earlier said of the Togo international: "We'll miss him, but of course we want to focus on the players that are with us at the moment.

"We want to wish him well and thank him for everything he has done for the club. I wish him well, I am sure he will give something special to Man City."

Adebayor scored 62 goals in 142 appearances for the Gunners following his arrival from Monaco in January 2006.