Zhirkov to Zenit?

Rumours have recently been circling around that former Chelsea and current Dinamo Moscow left back Yuri Zhirkov is set to join Russian Premier League champions Zenit St. Petersburg.

The rumour seems rather an odd one as the 32 year old is hardly the sort of player that is likely to help Zenit rescue the title that is quickly slipping from their grasp. Zenit already have Domenico Criscito as their first choice left back and his excellent form in recent years has meant his Argentine understudy Cristian Ansaldi has been forced out on loan in the last two seasons.

As well as being deployed at left back, Zhirkov has also been known to play on the left hand side of midfield. However, at the age of 32, his legs are surely unable to take him past a defender. In addition to this, Zenit play with inside forwards on their flanks rather than wingers which allows their widemen, Hulk and Oleg Shatov, to come inside and shoot on their stronger side. It seems unlikely Zhirkov would replace either of those two as well as Domenico Criscito.

Some would also argue that while Zenit seem to have little chance of winning the title, it is a great time to blood youngsters from Zenit’s excellent academy into the first team. The club sold Turkmenistan born Dzhamaldin Khodzhaniyazov to Danish side AGF in August 2015 but retained buy back rights. Unfortunately the 19 year old left back has not played a lot in Denmark recently and some would say that Zenit should bring back their former academy player to be involved in the first team which would allow him to develop into a future starter rather than spend money on ageing players.

So what is the thinking behind and case for Zhirkov’s possible signing?

Zhirkov’s Russian passport means that Zenit would be able to field him without having to worry about the Russian Premier League’s 6+5 rule. The club, with their large amount of foreign star players, have struggled to adjust to this foreign player rule which means Zhirkov’s Russian citizenship certainly adds to his value as a squad player.

As previously mentioned, Italian Domenico Criscito is the club’s first choice left back. However, Zenit do lack cover in this position, especially since Serbian Milan Rodic left for Krylia Sovetov last summer. When Criscito has been unavailable, manager Andre Villas Boas has been forced to deploy the club’s ageing captain Aleksandr Anyukov, a natural right back, in Criscito’s place whilst first choice right back Igor Smolnikov has also played at left back.

Zhirkov would certainly provide more natural cover for Criscito and could even find himself in the first team if rumours that the Italian wants to move back to Italy are to be believed. However, these rumours have been circulating for the last few years and have come to nothing whilst Criscito himself has stated he is happy at Zenit.

Perhaps Zhirkov’s most important role at the club will be off the pitch. The former Chelsea defender has won numerous trophies including the Russian Premier League in 2005 and 2006. He will be able to pass on his experience to a Zenit team which finds itself in a domestic crisis.

It seems strange that Zenit would be interested in Zhirkov considering their recent transfer policy of recruiting younger, foreign players. On the other hand this transfer makes perfect sense. The perilous financial situation at Dinamo Moscow means they are having to sell players for peanuts meaning Zenit can get a good and experienced squad player with a Russian passport for very little money. A further advantage is that Zhirkov has not played any European football this season so would be eligible for Zenit in the Champions League knockout rounds.

We can only wait and see what Zhirkov’s role will be at the Russian champions, if he does move but whilst many would question this move it is plain to see why Zenit are keen on recruiting him.

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