Chelsea sign Zhirkov and confirm Sturridge move

Adrian Curtis,Pa
Monday 06 July 2009 10:13 BST
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(GETTY IMAGES)

New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club have signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

Speaking at his first press conference, the Italian said: "Zhirkov, (Daniel) Sturridge - these are Chelsea players."

The winger will follow striker Daniel Sturridge into Stamford Bridge as the Blues build for next season's campaign.

As for Zhirkov's role, Ancelotti added: "Zhirkov is naturally on the left.

"I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between."

However, the former AC Milan boss refused to confirm Deco and Ricardo Carvalho would be leaving west London despite the pair being heavily linked with Inter Milan.

He said: "Carvalho and Deco are chelsea players.

"If in the future a player wants to go they have to speak with the club and we take the right decision for the player and for us."

Ancelotti also insisted he wanted John Terry to be his captain after the England skipper was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

Although the Blues have rebuffed City's initial offer, reports have claimed they could be tempted to sell Terry if the fee was high enough.

He said: "John Terry is a symbol of this team.

"He will be captain next season: he said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him for ever.

"Now there is a question of Man City, but for Terry (there is) no price.

"Terry will be at Chelsea forever.

"He said he wants to stay, there is no problem for him for us, the story continues - Chelsea and Terry.

"I like to have a captain like Terry, he is very close to (Paulo) Maldini for professionalism, for quality and he will be the best captain for Chelsea.

"I spoke with Terry a month ago when I came to the club and he said welcome. And after he went on holiday.

"I will speak with him because he is the captain and I want a good relationship with the captain."

When asked if the club would offer Terry a new, improved contract, he added: "It's not my problem."

While Ancelotti would not be drawn on the identity of Chelsea's targets, he was unequivocal he was looking forward to working with Didier Drogba.

He said: "I don't want to speak the names of the players.

"The club control the market, (Alexandre) Pato and (Andrea) Pirlo are Milan players.

"Drogba is a great striker and I want to use his quality for the team.

"He is strong but he also has technical quality."

He also revealed the club would speak to Andriy Shevchenko to resolve the Ukraine striker's future.

"Shevchenko is a Chelsea player and I want to speak with him.

"Shevchenko will come in London on July 9 and will work with us in pre-season and at this moment we speak with him to find the right solution for us."

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