Chelsea winger Yury Zhirkov admits he was no junior star.

Indeed, rather than trophies, Zhirkov's junior career was dominated by rejection and tears.

"I was not outstanding at all in the youth matches and nobody noticed me!" he revealed to the News of the World. "I was usually on the bench, and even in tournaments I rarely got a game. I could not make it for the reserves of Tambov, the first team I played for.

"Before matches I would give my kit to those who were playing as I never needed it. But I was patient - except for once, when I was left out of a side for a tournament and I thought it was unfair. There was a parents' meeting, and I was told not to go, so I cried and ran away. I spent that evening kicking the ball in the yard, and thought I would never play again. I was 13 at the time, but thankfully, the coach called me back.

"That was where I had my first big success. It was the local Cup final. We were 1-0 down with two minutes to go, and I scored two goals. The whole stadium cheered me. It was a really great feeling! After that I was noticed more.

"When I was invited to play for Tambov Spartak, I knew that destiny was giving me a chance. But soon that joy turned to an awful fear. I misunderstood the timings and when I turned up to prepare for a match, I saw that it was already underway and I had to watch it from the stands.

"When the coach, seeing me there, wanted to get me on the pitch, there was a big controversy. The team lost and the coach blamed me.

"Again, my form picked up. I was surprised when I got taken on by CSKA Moscow. I had had trials at Spartak, Lokomotiv and Dynamo Kiev.

"I had learned to cope with disappointment and was mentally prepared for another rejection. And also, I did not play that well in the CSKA trial, I thought I had played badly so I still don't know what the coach Artur Jorge saw in me."