Former Chelsea attacker Yuri Zhirkov admits he was blocked from joining Spartak Moscow by Roman Abramovich.

Zhirkov, who is still playing at the age of 38, eventually left Chelsea for Anzhi.

But he recalled to Sychev: “I had a conversation with Roman Arkadievich (Abramovich). I even remember that I went up to him and said: 'Let me go to Spartak'.

"But they somehow ... We met with Karpin on Tverskaya and talked about this. And then I came and told them to let me go. But they didn't let go.

"The reaction of CSKA fans? Well, Shirokov did the same. It was because of everyday problems in England that I wanted to return to Russia. In the end, they released me only to Anzhi. I don't know if it was money or they had some kind of agreements of their own. And I ended up at Anzhi."