Calcio Debate: Sheva's Return – Good Or Bad Idea?

Andriy Shevchenko scored a stunning 173 goals during his first spell at Milan between 1999 and 2006, winning a whole host of team and individual honours, including a Scudetto, Champions League, two Capocannoniere crowns, and the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2004. Despite turning 30 in September 2006, most would have expected Sheva to continue his brilliant form when he joined English giants Chelsea that summer.However, the Ukrainian would prove to be an enormous and, at €45m, expensive flop in West London. He struggled for form and fitness throughout his time, scoring just nine league goals in two seasons, and was a shadow of the player who, for a while, was considered the best striker in Europe.So why exactly did Sheva flop so badly in England?First of all it is important to dispel the myth that Serie A players cannot succeed in the Premiership. It is true that, aside from lifestyle differences, some struggle switching from a slower to a faster style of play. However, Gianfranco Zola and Paolo Di Canio are just two examples of legendary exports. The truth is that Shevchenko was just weeks shy of his 30th birthday when he joined Chelsea, and it would be foolish to deny that his best years were behind him. Had Sheva arrived at Chelsea between the ages of 22 and 28, I am certain he would have been a huge success. Unfortunately, as was already evident in the 2006 World Cup, Sheva had lost half-a-yard of pace, and in the fast-and-frenetic Premiership, speed and sharpness is vital.He also had problems adapting to Jose Mourinho’s defensive system. At Milan, Sheva was used to a technical style of play, with brilliant midfield playmakers such as Pirlo and Seedorf supplying him. He was also partnered by intelligent frontmen such as Inzaghi and Crespo. Milan’s slow build-up also played to his strengths, but at Chelsea it was a huge culture shock. The Blues were far more direct, they grinded out results, and there was little fantasy in midfield to provide for Sheva, as Mourinho favoured muscles over magic, and efficiency over enchantment. Mourinho’s 4-3-3 didn’t suit Shevchenko at all, even more so when it became evident that Didier Drogba was the perfect striker to play in the middle of the trident. Shevchenko is not a winger, and thus with the Ivorian around he was forever doomed.Injury problems didn’t help and, as stated before, fitness and sharpness is so important within the blood-and-thunder of the Premiership. His frosty relationship with Mourinho was also an issue. Shevchenko was Roman Abramovich’s signing, and it is debatable whether Mourinho ever requested him. I would argue that this was eventually a reason why the Special One left Chelsea. He didn’t want Shevchenko, or Michael Ballack, and was fed up with Abramovich’s constant interference.Finally, it must be noted that after seven years at Milan, a club that Shevchenko himself has described as “family”, it was very difficult to ever really offer his heart-and-soul to another club. Sheva would have never left Milan in the first place had it not been for his American wife who wanted to move the family to London. Sheva was unhappy off-the-pitch, he didn’t receive the same love from Chelsea that he did from Milan, and as a result his performances on the pitch suffered.Can Shevchenko rediscover his old magic now that he is back at Milan?Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti certainly thinks so, stating that “I think he will be useful to us, just like he was in years gone by.”Age is certainly against the Ukrainian. He will turn 32 next month, and he has been constantly troubled by injuries over the past year or so. Many critics believe that his legs have gone, and that his physical decline will gradually continue.However, on the other hand, Sheva is moving back to a slower league where pace, and he is still by no means slow, is not too much of an issue, while he will also be returning to a familiar environment. His confidence at Chelsea hit rock-bottom, and he will have a great chance of rediscovering it at Milan. It must also be noted that his form for Ukraine during his time at Chelsea remained superb, and he was outstanding during a 2-1 defeat to Italy a year ago, scoring his side’s goal and hitting the bar.At Milan he will be served by some of the most creative players in world football in the form of Pirlo, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Seedorf, so if Sheva fails with this quartet supporting him, then he will have no one to blame but himself.All in all, it is unlikely that we will see the Shevchenko of old during his second spell, but this does not mean that he cannot be a success. Only time will tell.