Russian Andrei Arshavin's demolition of Holland alerts English clubs

By Jeremy Wilson in Basle
Holland (0) 1 Russia (1) 1
Aet: 1-3

Leading Premier League managers will be encouraged by news that Andrei Arshavin is currently taking English lessons although, for now, he is communicating eloquently enough with his feet.

Arshavin lit up Euro 2008 on Saturday with a virtuoso individual performance to sink Holland and, after a similarly impressive display in the Group D decider against Sweden, Europe's biggest clubs are circling.

Euro 2008: Russian Andrei Arshavin's demolition of Holland alerts English clubs
Main man: Andrei Arshavin faces the media spotlight after his match-winning performance

His agent, Pavel Andreev, is understood to have already fielded numerous calls regarding his availability and, following almost a decade with home-town club Zenit St Petersburg, Arshavin is keen to move to England or Spain.

"Andrei has told us that he wishes to change clubs," said Zenit coach Dick Advocaat. "Although, at present, in terms of offers received, it is quiet. The situation may well change, though, in the coming days."

In January, the likes of Newcastle, Everton, Aston Villa, Marseille and Tottenham were linked with a £10?million deal - the fixed price on his contract - but the 27-year-old's value and ambition has since rocketed. Arsenal and Barcelona are now understood to be interested, though Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been closely following Russia throughout Euro 2008 and will surely also be considering a bid.

"He wants to move to a top European club and, for him as well as Zenit, this is the best moment," said a Russian source.
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"Sam Allardyce wanted him before he got sacked but there is plenty of other interest."

Arshavin is already among Russia's highest paid players on around £30,000 a week, but would be sure of a considerable pay increase at one of England or Spain's top clubs.

Holland could certainly find no answer to his pace and movement, particularly when Saturday's match drifted into extra time as Arshavin created a goal for Dmitri Torbinski and then sealed victory with his second goal in only two Euro 2008 matches.

Having missed the opening matches against Greece and Spain through suspension, Russia manager Guus Hiddink revealed that Arshavin is not even fully fit.

"He knows how to fight and be brave in his play," he said. "He runs into the zones where the defenders feel they can run there but can't tackle him. That's what nature gave him. He has a real mental strength too. He is supposed to be a difficult player to coach but it's not the case - he's a natural worker."

Arshavin, though, credited Hiddink with Russia's victory. "We expected that the Dutch team would act aggressively, but in the end we were stronger than them," he said.

"To be quite honest, I expected more from them. It looked like they lost a lot of their energy before us. When you play under such a great manager, we play a totally different game. As a result, a good coach beat 11 talented Dutch."

Having won the European cup with PSV Eindhoven, Hiddink has now taken South Korea and Holland to the semi-finals of the World Cup, led Australia to their best World Cup campaign reaching the second stage and also eliminated Holland and England in guiding Russia to at least the semi-final of these European Championships.

The 3-0 Wembley loss against England last September feels like a long time ago. "I think England had a very good day that day - maybe the only one," said Hiddink.

After giving Edwin van der Sar his debut for Holland back in 1995, there was also a certain symmetry in Hiddink being largely responsible for ending the Manchester United goalkeeper's international career on Saturday.

"He [Hiddink] knows a lot about Holland and the way we play," said Van der Sar, "he's got that Russian team playing a bit like a Dutch team.

"Russia have a great chance, they are in the semi-final. They've got everything, they have speed, they have good crossing and they have great players."

26
Russia's scintillating performance against Holland was all the more impressive because the average age of their squad is 26 years 83 days - the youngest at the championship.

Transfer targets

Yuri Zhirkov
Club: CSKA Moscow
Age: 24
Value: £12m

After Andrei Arshavin, Zhirkov is regarded as Russia's most talented player. Formerly, he regarded being on the wing as his normal position, but he has been converted with great effect to left-back under Guus Hiddink. Real Madrid are among the queue of clubs said to be interested.

Roman Pavlyuchenko
Club: Spartak Moscow
Age: 26
Value: £9m

Russia's target man has already scored three goals in Euro 2008 and has formed an excellent partnership with Andrei Arshavin. He is strong in the air and excellent at bringing others into the game, though his consistency and goalscoring record has been questioned in Russia.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
Club: Lokomotiv Moscow
Age: 23
Value: £7m

Was watched by Avram Grant and linked with a move to Chelsea during the January transfer window. He is expected to move to Spain, Italy or England, though he is currently being kept out of Russia's starting team by the experienced Igor Semshov.

Denis Kolodin
Club: Dynamo Moscow
Age: 26
Value: £4m

Will miss the semi-final through suspension, but impressed on Saturday with his handling of Ruud van Nistelrooy. He also carries a real danger going forward and possesses a fierce shot. There are, however, some doubts about his defensive qualities and he would be more likely to join a middle-ranking Premier League club.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk