Ancelotti – Zhirkov needs to learn English, and so do I!

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that his new signing Yuri Zhirkov has joined the squad in America, but can’t play with the team yet. He is still waiting for his work permit to be granted, and he also needs to improve his English!

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s next warm-up against Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, Ancelotti said: “They improve, and now the African players tomorrow will play, but for Yuri Zhirkov it is not possible to put him in because we have to wait for his work permit.”

‘He is working with the team on tour and is a very good player, but has a little problem with the language. He is not the only one with the language!’

“This is a week where we work with more intensity than last week, and today we did a very good session of tactical training.

‘The team is concentrated for this period and I am happy with the work of the team.’

He was then asked if he was looking forward to his old arch-enemy Jose Mourinho. I know very well Inter, they are a very good team and it is good for us to play against a great team because we want to improve in this period and do something more to play,’ he said.

“I think it will be a very good match, and Mourinho is a very good trainer, he worked very well in Chelsea.”

If that is a true transcript of the interview, it doesn’t seem like there is a lot wrong with Ancelotti’s English, considering he has only been in the job for a few weeks!