Zhirkov close to Blues exit

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas expects Yury Zhirkov to complete his move to Anzhi Makhachkala in his native Russia.

The Portuguese had just seen his side claim a 3-1 friendly win over Rangers at Ibrox, and was pressed on Zhirkov’s future at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “Yury is in between reaching a full agreement, between club and player, with Anzhi and in the end it was mostly his decision.

“It is a great financial offer for him, it is a return home and I think he has decided to part company.

“But still the deal isn’t done yet.”

Asked about the possibility of making another bid for Tottenham’s Luka Modric, he replied: “I have been answering a lot about it and I won’t make any further comment.”

Villas-Boas was more lucid about his interest in Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea have been monitoring Lukaku for some time and the Blues reportedly had an £18m offer turned down for the player last month.

He said: “He is a very interesting young prospect and the situation is now that we have to position ourselves to maybe get this kind of talent.

“So I would say that anything can happen.”

The Blues coach was relaxed after a comfortable afternoon for the Londoners.

Nikica Jelavic headed the Scottish champions in to the lead after six minutes but Daniel Sturridge’s first-half double and a header from Florent Malouda, emphasised the gap in class between the two sides.

The scoreline could have been worse for the home side had substitute keeper Neil Alexander, on for Allan McGregor at the interval, not saved Frank Lampard’s penalty.

The Stamford Bridge coach was impressed with Sturridge who was on loan to Bolton in the second half of last season.

He said: “He has been sparking in this pre-season.

“It is nothing new, it is what he was doing in Bolton and he deserves his chance.

“He has been showing his qualities and we will count on him this season with a different perspective.”