WAYN: Alexei Smertin

Alexei Smertin born May 1, 1975 in Barnaul, USSR signed for Chelsea on August 25, 2003 for 3.5 million pounds from Bordeaux.  He is a central/defensive midfielder and was immediately loaned out to Portsmouth his first season at Chelsea.  In 2004/2005 he played a small part in the team on the way to the championship due to the high level of competition for a place in the midfield.  He was then loaned out to Charlton for the start of the 2005 season, in January 2006 a 1 million pound transfer to Dynamo Moscow was agreed and he completed the switch March 13, 2006.  He has singe been released from Dynamo in January 2007 and was signed by Fulham where he played until he was released in September 2008.  His final Chelsea stats 25 appearances 5 goals.