Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov has blamed his injury problems on his recent move to London.
Russian says adapting to life in London has caused pain
Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov has blamed his injury problems on his recent move to London.
The left-sided Russian star, who can also play in defence, moved to Stamford Bridge in July for £18million but has only started once for the Blues after suffering knee pain.
Zhirkov, 26, who will play for Russia in their World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Wednesday, says his injuries have perplexed the Chelsea medical team although he is trying to remain optimistic.
"The English doctors see my problems as a reaction of the body to drastic changes - in the climate, lifestyle, training work and in everything else," he said in the
London Evening Standard.
"And no one can tell me what the medical predictions of my rehabilitation are. The British physicians even consulted with German specialists regarding me.
"They sent them my x-rays together with the detailed description of the problem but, as far as I understand, they failed to diagnose the problem.
Optimism
"I try to remain optimistic - many players have had such difficulties. I am not the first, not the last. It is a pity that the problems coincided with my move to a new club.
"But if I keep being distressed the situation will not change. I must work and believe that everything is going to straighten out soon."
With fellow left-back Ashley Cole currently sidelined with a stress fracture of the leg, Zhirkov could make his first Premier League appearance against Wolves on Saturday.
Whilst being frustrated that the problem with his knee has hampered his progress at his new club, Zhirkov praised the Chelsea setup and is thankful for the patience shown to him.
"In Chelsea the team is very good, all of them understand my situation," he added.
"My case is not the first one, many newcomers of Chelsea were sidelined in the first months at the club.
"Actually my knees are getting better. Before going to the national team, I spent two comprehensive training sessions with Chelsea without any difficulty."
