Yuri Zhirkov "What about my knee-e!"

The 26-year-old, who moved from CKSA Moscow for £18million in the summer, was even told a change in diet and climate could be to blame. Zhirkov hurt his right knee on Chelsea's pre-season tour of America and was subsequently told it was a compound injury that had built up.

The winger suffered a further setback when playing for his country against Germany earlier this month and then complained of swelling after playing just 20 minutes as a second-half substitute against Atletico Madrid last week.

'After the match with Atletico, the knee swelled up terribly and the doctors couldn't explain exactly what was happening.

'There was talk of an operation, but now, after pumping out liquid on the knee, it is more or less normal, thank God.'