Loading ...Aug 21 2008
Shevchenko Liberation Makes Sense But Remains Rumor
Andriy Shevchenko remains in a quagmire at Chelsea, a part-time (at best player) who is more likely to fill recently departed Claudio Pizarro’s shoes (at the bottom of the depth chart) than Nicolas Anelka’s, let alone Didier Drogba’s. With Luiz Felipe Scolari coming in an looking less likely to simultaneously use two strikers, Shevchenko looks unlikely to get the 24 appearances he got last season. Thanks to his continued success at the international level for the Ukraine (for whom he scored four goals in eight appearances last season), there remains a legion of Shevchenko backers clammoring for his liberation from Stamford Bridge.
The largest contingent of his fans remain in Milan, where Shevchenko’s glory years are still held in esteem. While AC Milan spent the summer wooing Emmanuel Adebayor and new the eventually acquired Ronaldinho, many wondered why the currently-cash-conscious club did not bring Shevchenko, who would likely be cheaper, back. Sheva is only two seasons removed from scoring 19 goals in Serie A for the Rossoneri. At 31 and with his international form hinting at remaining talent, it’s not unreasonable to assume he could contribute.
That Milan-backer dream is still alive. This week Milan director Silvano Ramaccioni said the team is close to working out a loan deal with Chelsea that would see Shevchenko return to the San Siro. Where he would fit in, I’m am not immediately sure, but if he regains even 3/4 of the form he showed in 2005-06, Carlo Ancelotti will find a place for him.
The deal seems farther from fruition than the reports of Tuesday and Wednesday had us believe. Shevchenko’s incredible salary is a sticking point. How much Chelsea is willing to pick-up will determine whether Milan takes him on. If Sheva looks to get no time for Scolari this season, and money Milan is willing to pay would be a plus for Chelsea. Whether Roman Abramovich sees it the same way, I don’t know.
Even during the preseason, Shevchenko was not getting any real playing time. Seeing him brought on for obligatory cameos during the Russian Railways Cup was both nostalgic and sad. He’s still there, you remind yourself, before groaning. He is still there.
Just free him already.
Links
Sheva wages hold up Milan deal as Chelsea eye other signings
Reports: Shevchenko To Milan Deal Collapses
Shevchenko To Oust Kaka?
Sheva set to end pain with Milan return
Milan close on Shevchenko as Adramovich mellows over £30m pal
Pay dispute hits Shevchenko’s Milan loan
AC Milan says Shevchenko return close to done
Milan Chief: Sheva Deal Close to Completion
Shave ‘close’to return
Shevchenko on verge of Milan move
Milan claim Sheva return is ‘close’
Sheva return to Milan back on
Milan expect Shevchenko arrival
Ancelotti: No Sheva deal yet
Shevchenko poised for San Siro return
Shevchenko set for AC Milan return
Shevchenko not part of Scolari’s immediate plans
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