Current Affairs Jiri Jarosik lands shot at big time with move to glamour club Chelsea
Jiri Jarosik is not one of the biggest stars in Czech football. Indeed, he didn't even make it to the Czech squad for the European Championships in Portugal last summer. But now the 27-year-old has been handed what he calls the greatest chance of his life - a move to England's Chelsea, possibly the most talked about club in the world at the moment.
Jiri Jarosik, photo: CTK
Here is Jiri Jarosik's agent Pavel Zika on the terms of the 'dream
deal':
"We've agreed that he will join Chelsea on loan for six months but that period is followed by an option for a full two-year contract. So we've been negotiating on the assumption he will be there for two and half years. As for the terms of his contract, let's just say it meets the parameters of a megaclub like Chelsea."
While the likes of Milan Baros, Pavel Nedved and Tomas Rosicky are household names in the Czech Republic, Jiri Jarosik will not ring many bells with the average man in the street.
When Jarosik joined CSKA Moscow from Sparta Prague two years ago, some pundits said it was not a move which would advance his career. And he did fall off the radar somewhat, losing his place in the Czech national squad and missing out on Euro 2004.
Jiri Jarosik, photo: CTK
But the defensive midfielder became a big hit in Russia and one of the
star players at CSKA Moscow, impressing Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho when
the two clubs met in the Champions League.
Jarosik is virtually unknown in England, and will be eclipsed in many ways at the star-studded club built by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. However, Mourinho says he will give the Czech a chance and it is up to him whether he makes the most of it or not. Apparently he was impressed by Jarosik's ability to play in several positions and his age, 27.
There is a good chance Jiri Jarosik will make his first appearance for Chelsea this weekend in the FA Cup.
