Zhirkov wants first team football. Will he get it?.

It comes as no surprise that Yuri Zhirkov has once again reiterated his stance about his position at Chelsea. Zhirkov was linked with a move away from Chelsea after being frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities at Stamford Bridge and once again since he has returned from injury, it seems he stance hasn't changed.

He said this week:

"My only target at the moment is to get back into the main Chelsea team. If I'm successful with that, all the other issues will resolve themselves. But if I fail to achieve that between now and the summer, I will start thinking of other possibilities."

(Guardian)

Let's be honest here, if Zhirkov was fit then he would have been playing alot more this season after Malouda's dip in form and there is an argument that he should be starting ahead of him now that he is ready to play. I have to be honest, I did think that maybe Carlo would give him the start on the left hand side against Copenhagen the other night but instead, he came off the bench for a bit part in the game.

The problem for Zhirkov is since his time at Chelsea, he has had to try and compete with Ashley Cole at left back and Florent Malouda at left wing at a time when both of them were playing well and were two of our most consistent performers.

I think Cole has remained close to that level but as I have said Malouda's form has dipped with the rest of the players. It's now up to Zhirkov to force his way into Carlo's plans ahead of Malouda but I'm not so sure he will.

Granted Zhirkov is a good player and will work hard for the side but my argument is that I don't think we have really seen the best of him at the club. When Ashley Cole was injured he stepped in and did ok. I think his best game was Villa at home but for me that's been just a one off. He needs to make more of an impact when he is given a chance to start. Let's not forget his volley against Spartak Moscow earlier this season but instances like these are few and far between.

I honestly believe that we will continue to hear the same comments from Zhirkov between now and the end of the season. It wouldn't surprise me if Zhirkov moved away from the club in the summer.

KTBFFH.

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