Andriy Shevchenko didn’t feature in Scolari’s side for the opening game against Pompey, the striker’s position on the bench being taken up by 19 year old Franco Di Santo.
But then that’s hardly a surprise since the Ukrainian hasn’t particularly featured in any of the manager’s plans since he arrived from AC Milan in 2006. Having spent most of his time under Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant out of first team contention, he doesn’t seem to be part of the Chelsea picture as far as new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari’s concerned either.
A former world class player, Shevchenko’s never been able to recapture the form in the Premier League that he demonstrated during his seven years in Serie A. The sort of form which saw Shevchenko score 127 goals in 208 games for Milan has eluded him at Chelsea and the 32 year old has managed a mere 9 league goals in 47 games.
The Milan idol has been linked with a return to the rossoneri virtually since he stepped foot inside Stamford Bridge although more recently, Carlo Ancelotti had suggested any thoughts of Shevchenko were “in the past”.
However, the latest reports suggest Sheva could be set for a return to the Italian club on a one-year loan deal tomorrow. With Kaka out following a knee operation and both Ronaldinho and Pato at the Olympics, Milan are short on frontmen and it’s suggested Abramovich and Berlusconi met last Thursday to agree terms.
It is believed the ever-benevolent Chelsea will naturally help Milan financially, and despite being fleeced for Shevchenko in the first place, will pay a substantial amount of the player’s wages while he’s playing his football in another country. But whilst I’m not happy Chelsea have allowed themselves to be taken for mugs again where money’s concerned, at long last it’ll be nice to see the club do the decent thing where Shevchenko’s concerned.
Hopefully Andriy will be playing with a smile on his face again soon, albeit in Milan’s colours.
Blue is the colour
