Yuri Zhirkov's future remains with Chelsea
Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov has said he is bound to stay in London to regain his form for the team after suffering from injuries at the start of the current season.
Zhirkov, who suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea's pre-season, has only made four appearances in the Premier League this season, all of which came as a substitute.
The Russian wide man, who has mostly been deployed on the left of the Carlo Ancelotti's defence and midfield since joining last summer, has been rumoured to be on the way out of Stamford Bridge after missing out on regular starting appearances.
"It is just rumours and the speculation is from the Russian media, transferred to the British media," Zhirkov told Chelsea's official website about the speculation. "I don't want to leave Chelsea and if the manager doesn't want to sell me, I will stay."
The Russian international made 27 appearances for Chelsea last season, as Carlo Ancelotti won the FA Cup and the Premier League during his first season in charge of the team.
Absence due to injury problems
Having featured as a wide striker in the second half of Chelsea's game against Aston Villa on Saturday, 16 October, Zhirkov said he was hopeful of starting more games once he returns to full fitness.
"I have not shown my full potential but it has been a case of fully getting fit and settling in and now I will try to show more in the coming games. My fitness is getting better and I am feeling more confident."
Meanwhile, Ancelotti said that the Russian's future remains with Chelsea, where his versatility renders him the ideal replacement on the left flank.
"For me, Yury is a very important player. He didn't start a lot of games, but he can play a lot of positions on the pitch. He played very well as a left-back and as a midfielder, and in the last game had a fantastic second half as a striker."
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