Zhirkov - "I don't want to leave Chelsea"

Yuri Zhirkov has taken the opportunity to speak about his future as he returns to his homeland for tonight's Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow and has dismissed reports that he is looking to leave the club. Zhirkov when asked about the reports he was looking to leave said:

"It is just rumours and speculation, I don't want to leave Chelsea and, if the manager doesn't want to sell me, I will stay.

I've not lived up to my full potential because I haven't played too many games in the first team, but I'll try to show more. I'm getting fitter game by game, and I'll try to show more. My fitness is getting better and I'm feeling more confident."

Now that's great for me. Firstly that Zhirkov wants to stay at the club and secondly because he has admitted to the fact that he hasn't really played well enough when he has been asked to play.

I have to say I rate Zhirkov. We can't ignore the fact that it was always going to be difficult to come from Russia and settle down in London. First the language difference and getting to know the players and people at the club.

Tonight will be a perfect chance for Yuri to start to show the Chelsea faithful exactly what he can offer the club and let's hope he takes it with both hands.

KTBFFH