Russian star cleared for Blues move

The versatile left-sided Russian international was recently named No.50 in FourFourTwo's 2008 Best Players in the World list, and saw his effort against Hamburg named the best goal of the 2006/07 Champions League by UEFA magazine Goal.

And after netting against Aston Villa in the UEFA Cup a fortnight ago, he has been linked with a £15 million move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, with temporary coach Guus Hiddink believed to have recommended the 25-year-old to, owner, Roman Abramovich.

Ex-Brazil international Zico - now in charge of CSKA - says he would not deny Zhirkov the opportunity to play his trade in the Premier League, saying he would be a success abroad.

"Zhirkov is a player of such high level, he would only show all his potential playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League," he told The Sun.

"He'd easily fit into Chelsea's first-choice team. I don't like to lose him, but I won't stop his move to London."

CHELSEA FANS! Check FourFourTwo.com’s ever-expandinginterviews archivefor more stuff to read:
Web Exclusives Kerry Dixon, Guus Hiddink
One on One Gianfranco Zola, Nicolas Anelka
Boy's A Bit Special  Michael Mancienne, Scott Sinclair
Perfect XI Ruud Gullit, Marcel Desailly
Celebrity fans Vidal Sassoon
And Another Thing Being a Big Four fan

Plus! Ruud Gullit on Weekend Wonders and Chelsea on Talentspotter