RoberticusAncelotti could go for this.
07.07.2009
nvrI don't think he'll drop Le Sulk that easy. He was the top scorer after all. He and Drogba also seemed to find a rythm at the end of last season.
Zhirkov, while a good player, is unproven. Premiership is a graveyard of good players who couldn't adapt.
07.07.2009
RoberticusThen why bother signing him if he's 'unproven' in the Premiership?
By this definition, then half the Premiership players (English players never capped for national team or foreign players who play for less celebrated national sides) are more proven than someone like Zhirkov who had an excellent Euro 2008 with Russia especially compared to Malouda who was poor with France, or even Terry, Ashley Cole and Lampard (all class but failed to even qualify last for last summer).
Besides which, even on the old "pace and power" argument Zhirkov will have no problems adapting to the Prem; the guy has the lungs and the agression as well as the technique. In fact, he's ideally suited.
08.07.2009
nvrEvery transfer is a bit of a gamble. The probability of a foreign player failing is much hihger than the one with Premiership experience under his belt. But that still doesn't mean that a club won't by an unproven one given the right price. When it comes to Chelsea and CSKA "right price" is a bit blurry tho. But this is totally another matter.
National team and former club achievemnts have a rather weak correlation with success in the Premeirship. Kleberson was a World Cup winning player when he signed with Man U. Schevschenko was the top scorer in Italy when he signed for Chelsea. But it all ended up in tears for them.
09.07.2009
RoberticusThe only problem Zhirkov will have in adapting - to any country, not just England - will be cultural. And unlike Arshavin (university-educated), Zhirkov grew up poor. Russian football is notoriously isolationist; but trust me, the guy can 'mix it' (to use that awful cliché). It has nothing to do about 'proven Premiership quality'..that is a very opaque term..what does it mean? I give you specifics; areas in which I think Zhirkov is/isn't a good signing.
09.07.2009
nvrLet me be clear. I am not saying that Zhirkov will not adapt. If I were to bet:I'd say he would start strong and than hit the wall. His performance will be better next year. My reasoning:
1)Russian League is already under way. Zhirkov did his pre-season a lot earlier than his new teammates. When other Chelsea players peak in form(that generally happens 5-6 into the season), he'll start to decline.
2)What makes him stand out in Russian Leagues is his pace and power. But everybody in PL and their mothers runs above 10kms in a game. He might lose confidence just because his assets makes too little difference.
3)He is pretty used to having his shirt ready at CSKA. With Chelsea he will need to fight for it. Will he cope mentally if he sits as a sub for a couple of weeks?
None of these might not happen but there's a good chance that they will.
09.07.2009
RoberticusAbout point no. 2 that you make:
"...his assets makes too little difference."
Then what on earth other differential qualities have the rest of them got that doesn't have? Besides the select few (inside of the Big Four clubs)..and even then, he is at least the equal of many of the players in their squads, with the exception of the standout candidates.
A proven PL player (native to England) who is even inferior to Zhirkov will still end up costing more than him.
Besides which, it's not as if Chelsea are building their squad around him. He's not a Veron-type signing designed to overhaul the team's playing style. So there is not a huge lot at stake.
09.07.2009
nvrI'd say mental strength... Gained by competing against top talent day in day out. Once again, I am not saying he won't overcome these things, but there's a good chance that he'll strugle a bit before he finds his footing.
Your point about player costs is spot on. Glen Johnson has a price tag of £18 M. If he were,say, French, he'd probably cost half of that.
10.07.2009
