Zhirkov 'wanted Bayern but sold to Chelsea'
Reuters - Saturday 21 January 2012, 15:19
Former Chelsea winger Yuri
Zhirkov says he is happy to be back in Russia because he had
problems adjusting to English football.
The Russia international, who joined big spenders Anzhi
Makhachkala last August after two seasons with Chelsea, also
revealed that he wanted to join Bundesliga's Bayern Munich but
instead was sold to the West London club.
"Then I had offers from both Chelsea and Bayern, and I
wanted Bayern," Zhirkov, who moved to Stamford Bridge from CSKA
Moscow for a reported 18 million pound fee in
July 2009, was quoted as saying by Anzhi's website.
"[It was] because [former CSKA team-mate and friend] Ivica
Olic was already playing for Bayern and in general I like
Germany more than England. But in the end I was sold to
Chelsea."
Zhirkov, 28, said that no matter how well he had been
playing, the then Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti would always
prefer England midfielder Frank Lampard.
"Psychologically I also feel much better in Russia because
at Chelsea I had problems," he said. "For example, I would play
10 matches in a row, then Lampard would return from an injury
and right away I would find myself seating on the bench.
"If you played well or badly it made no difference. It's not
that I was offended but I just wanted to know why this was
happening."
Zhirkov also said he had felt very lonely in London and
accused Chelsea of not helping him to obtain a visa for his
wife. "Why didn't they help me with the visa? I don't know.
Maybe on purpose."