Why I Don’t Want Shevchenko Back And Who Should Milan Sign Instead
After Milan’s disastrous showing in the Champions League against Arsenal, many are predicting major signings to be made in summer and names have been thrown around. Drogba, Benzema, Frey, and Thiago are all said to be potential signings, but the one that shocked me the most was Shevchenko.
Yes, Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian Ballon D’or winner who sensationally and acrimoniously left Milan for Chelsea in the summer of 2006 for £30 million. The decision to move, he insisted, was due to his family.
The move didn’t turn out good. Since his debut in the FA Community Shield in which he scored Chelsea’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, he has been used only sparingly by Chelsea managers Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant. And now with Nicolas Anelka joining the Chelsea stable of stars, Sheva must think that his chances of first-team football are now extremely bleak. As such, it is no surprise he is looking for a way out.
On the other hand, it must be said that Milan have struggled to cope with his departure. Kaka’ is their most prolific goal-scorer and he isn’t even an out-and-out striker. Pato is still very young, while Ronaldo, who Milan have brought in to replace Sheva, is often injured and Gilardino, once upon a time one of Italy’s most gifted youngsters, has failed to impress since his move to Milan from Parma.
So this seems like a marriage of convenience. Milan need goals and who better to get them than Sheva, who was once the darling of San Siro and is now unwanted at Chelsea. And as much affection as I have for Sheva, I don’t want him back.
In the same way that I would never take my girlfriend back if she leaves me for someone else, I wouldn’t want Sheva back at Milan.
More importantly however, his performances at Chelsea indicate that he is no longer the player he used be. He might be down on morale and confidence, but even so, at 31, his best years are surely behind him. Besides, isn’t it time Milan start looking at younger players?!
Which brings me to the players that Milan should really try to sign. Many names have been thrown around and here is my contribution to that ever-growing list. First and foremost, a new goalkeeper is absolutely crucial. Dida, ever since he was struck by the flare during the Milan - Inter Champions League match, has never been the player he once was. And although Kalac has performed admirably, the goal Fabregas scored showed that he is prone to lapses in concentration and isn’t really world-class material. In light of this, Milan should make it their top priority to sign a young and promising goalkeeper. Frey, at the moment, seems to be a prudent choice.
Milan desperately needs new blood in defence as well. Zambrotta seems to be destined for a summer move to the San Siro and that should be good news. He might be a tad old, but when he gets in his stride, he remains still, one of the leading fullbacks in the world. We could also do with a young centre-back like Zapata or Mexes.
The midfield department is tricky. Ambrosini and Gattuso might not be young, but I don’t think they are so old that they have nothing left to give. I think their recent lackluster performances is due more to tiredness than anything else. If anything, Milan should look to sign one of the Roma duo - De Rossi and Aquilani - who impressed tremendously during their Champions League encounter with Real Madrid. However, let’s not forget that Milan also have a talented youngster in Gourcuff and perhaps it’ll be wise to hold on to him by giving him more playing time.
That said, Milan do need new strikers. With Ronaldo out with a potentially career-ending injury, Inzaghi turning 35, and Gilardino’s future at Milan becoming increasingly uncertain, Pato, Kaka’ and Paloschi are Milan’s only striking options. This won’t do. Milan is widely rumored to be looking to sign Drogba, but I believe that Amauri would be a more sensible purchase. Amauri is younger and having played in Serie A for a number years, shouldn’t have much problems settling in at Milan.
Of course, we could say all we want but these will remain what they are, speculations. No one knows what will happen and all I can say is this: I don’t want Sheva back at Milan.
The author Kenny maintains a personal blog called ‘The Meditation Chamber‘.
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Kenny:
Sheva and his family have a special relationship with Mr. Berlusconi. One that is quite rare in sport: Mr. Berlusconi is the godfather of his first son, Jordan. If I recall properly, Mrs. Shevchenko was either engaged or dated one of Mr. Berlusconi’s sons before she met Andriy.
If Mr. Berlusconi wants him back, and if Chelsea is willing to receive about 10 million pounds (or whatever his market value is now) for him, Andriy will be wearing red and black. He fits the Italian game, and was ill-suited for the EPL. At age 31, he is not too old for Milan. Please refer to what Eddie Marles said about the Milan Lab and their overall philosophy. He could play a few years in Milan, and then perhaps finish his career in MLS. His wife’s family lives in the Washington, D.C. area.
I disagree with your assessment of Z. Kalac. If he weren’t world class, he wouldn’t be there.
Steve,
I am going to have to challenge you on the grounds of Kalac being world class. All teams need backup keepers. What Kenny is stating is that a club of Milan’s prestige need a prestigous keeper, one that rivals the worlds keepers (IE; Cech, Casillas, Buffon, etc.).
However (regarding strikers) Milan is a club that isn’t afraid to spend money, and they should target a goal scoring jersey selling striker. For instance, a Ronaldo that actually plays.
I also think that they should consider finding a wide player, and let Gattuso back to the center of the park where he belongs, rather than out on the right.
But, when all is said and done, I hate AC Milan and would like to see them buy more aging bums like Ronaldo so I can continue to watch them fall.
Dear Kenny:
Sheva is one of the best strikers in the world and he will always be welcomed in milan, he is what milan needs and he is what milan wants back, kaka and shevchenko are one of the best duo’s on the italian roster.
If shevchenko would go back to milan, i would think that it is a great move and theres no place like home. Sheva belongs in milan and he will retire at milan.
p.s. why would milan want drogba? are they trying to be funny? Sheva all the way
Felipe
Sheva is a milan legend, they should be honored to have him back,
Steve:
I respect your position about Kalac; however, Adriano Galliani, their Vice President and transfer guru, said the following: “We knew he (Kalac) was good, and that is why he is here.” With their resources, one would think that if he wasn’t highly regarded, someone else would have been the backup for the European and World Club Champions.
No doubt a higher profile keeper will be a part of their future. But Kalac has done quite well this season. Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa of Club America and the Mexican National team may be on the horizon for Milan.
Steve,
I’m well aware of the relationship that exists between Sheva and Mr Belusconi as well as the magic of Milan Lab. However, I’m not convinced that Sheva is the striker we are looking for. I really think Milan need someone new and young.
I’ve also read reports of how some players were unhappy about him leaving. How true this is I’m not sure.
As for Kalac, I’m not convinced about his abilities either. Yes, he has played considerably well thus far, but I believe the goal that Fabregas scored could have been saved if it someone like Cech, Buffon or Casillas were in goal instead. I don’t think that goal was unstoppable.
Adebayor would be perfect for Milan. I have to agree with you Kenny on most of the statements you made. I do not like Milan particularly but it would be a shame if they disappeared in the fog. That being said, a couple of years more from Sheva could get them back on track (because they need two strikers, not just one - Pipo is a bit too old for a first-team place at Milan).
de Rossi could leave Roma for any club he wishes on any sunny day. He is the best defensive midfielder in the world at the moment.
im not sure how easy it would be for Milan to get hold of De Rossi and Aquilani who have been rumored to follow in Totti’s footsteps and remain at Roma for their playing careers.
There’s no way De Rossi will leave Roma. Both Roman teams have incredibly strong fanbases and their academies are a deep-rooted part of roman footballing identity. de Rossi, and Totti before him, has the kind of quality that they will never want to sell him, and as a childhood fan born and bred on Roma he is unlikely to request a move. Aquilani’s not as good, but he’s probably available. if I were them, I’d go for Lassana Diarra, he’d cost 10mil tops and he’s been playing fantastically for Pompey. He only left Arsenal for playing time, so if Wenger saw potential, there’s potential.
Up front I think they need someone in the 24-7 range, because any younger and between them and Pato they’ll have almost no experience. Pipo and Gilardino haven’t been cutting it for a while now, so if they can sell Gilardino for 5-8mil they can bring in someone like Huntelaar. from they few games I’ve seen of him he looks to be perfect for the Italian league. Great in the area, deadly with his feet and head and incredibly intelligent, just lacking the pace that other leagues demand. Drogba’s too old for the money he’d cost and Benzema’s too young.
You’re right though Kenny, a keeper is a must. i’ve never rated Dida and that stuff with Celic just confirmed everything. Kalac is okay, but he’s a backup keeper, no more. Frey is a good choice, but there’s that Mexican Ochoa who got nominated for World Player of the Year, and I think he’s 22 or 23.
Milan could use a winger, but if they buy one, they’d really need to buy two to avoid playing Kaka or Gattuso out wide, so I think it makes more sense to stick with a narrow formation with attacking fullbacks and maybe sign some young wingers. The real poblem with the sqaud seems to be age, most of the players have passed 30 now, so if they’vegot money to spend it’s worth spending on very good youngsters like they did with Pato.
Berlusconi said the ‘Brazilian connection’ was working well so I think they’ll stick with that. Sign a few youngsters straight out of South America, maybe from other European youth systems, then spend BIG on one player.
Wow, that was a lot of words. Sorry about that. Good article Kenny, and good points everyone. Although Felipe, face facts, Sheva’s lost it.
Although a great club, Milan is basically an old-house. If you have been a good footballer and above 32, they’ll call you!
i think sheva deserves a second chance in ac milan. he fits into the italian league.he is my best player apart from kaka, eventhough i may agree with you that his season at standford bridge has been a total floop, he can score world class goals. i think we the fans of ac milan expecially in Ghana want SHEVA BACK.
SHEVA is MILAN
MILAN is SHEVA
SHEVA 4 EVA