Chelsea FC: Transfer Gossip

Those of you who read yesterday's Fiver will already have seen the rather amusing commentary around Zhirkov's pre-destined arrival at the Bridge:

New Chelsea signing Yuri Zhirkov is worried his lack of English will hold him back at Stamford Bridge.  "Abramovich came to our [CSKA Moscow] dressing room to congratulate the team on winning the Russian Cup Final in May 2006.  Then, he suddenly turned to me and said, 'Yuri, start learning English'.  I didn't say anything, just smiled.  Unfortunately, I still have not learnt the language.  Now I know I should have taken his advice more seriously."

Perhaps he could take lessons with Carlo?

The Sun today reported that John Terry has demanded talks with Abramovich to discuss his contract.  Apparently his silence over Man City's bid is not so much because he's secretly planning a move north-wards, but instead because he intends to use City's interest as leverage to enhance his current £115k-a-week contract.  Rumour has it he's not happy that Frank's contract (signed last summer) is richer at £135k-a-week.  I love JT, and have always been a massive admirer, but he's fast becoming injury prone, is unlikely to age well given his back and lack-of-pace issues, and has always been dependent on a strong partner alongside him.  Given he hasn't come out to declare his loyalty to Chelsea, should we really be upping his contract by another £20/30k a week at this stage in his career?  If he's willing to call our bluff and go to Man City for a bit of extra cash, he may not be the man I thought he was...

And finally, The Times is reporting that we're still in the market for Ribery.  Given that Real Madrid have stated that they've been priced out of buying him, it seems crazy to suggest that we'll be prepared to splash enough cash.  But this is football, and stranger things have certainly happened...

Comments

[Michael Hepp]

I might be wildly unpopular for my opinion, and because of that I did not comment on the other JT thread, but personally I think we should sell him. I know, I know you hate me now, but while I'll agree that he is the leader of the team, he is at his peak selling value this year. Meaning that if he wants to go then we are going to get the most we can this year. With the crazy amounts being spent on transfers this season JT should go for 50-70M which could help us get some real star power. If we wait a year he has a relatively high chance of being hurt and we won't be able to sell him for near as much. We have good defenders already and Alex and Carvalho will make a nice partnership at the back.

I also think it will give Lampard a chance to show his leadership skills.

If he doesn't want to go then this discussion is mute, but if he wants to play the salary adjustment game I think we should call his bluff. If he really loves Chelsea as he claims then he should have come out and said he has no interest in moving north and he is looking forward to playing for Carlo. His reaction to this whole thing has put a sour taste in my mouth.

[oliver]

I can't agree with your evaluation of JT. He played 35/38 of our league matches last year so I don't see the "injury prone" argument.

Also, wrt the "lack of pace" if it wasn't relying on pace as a younger player then getting older isn't really going to hurt him. Ashley Cole losing pace is a much tougher problem to solve.

[Anthony Calleja]

Now isn't John Terry just rich and dandy? And there I was thinking and feeling that it was our Chelsea and we Chelsea fans who were justified in feeling hurt and disappointed by his silence and by his lack of public declaration of loyalty to Chelsea while spending some of the very large amounts of cash and wages he gets from Chelsea on his holiday. Now he is also down to lieing about Chelsea saying Chelsea have not kept him informed when Chelsea have confirmed they have, not to mention he should have contacted Chelsea and put blues minds and hearts at rest when he heared all the hulabaloo going on, and trying to get a higher wage because my oh my Frank Lampard and Micheal Ballack have slightly higher wages than him. Even if he finally stays with our Chelsea, John Terry is much fallen in my eyes and I see him very differently now. He is a Chelsea man only as long as it suits him.

Forever Chelsea!

Anthony.

[Anthony Calleja]

Only Franck Ribery and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of the mentioned so called possible marquee signings for Chelsea are worthy of donning the Chelsea top, colours and badge. And if our Chelsea signed Franck Ribery and Zlatan Ibrahimovic then we would truly be back as the best team in the world gunning for all titles.

Forever Chelsea!

Anthony.