Rossoneri salute Sheva
Saturday 27 May, 2006
Andriy Shevchenko’s Milan teammates hail the departing hero, but Adriano Galliani admits he still has a faint hope of stalling the Chelsea switch.
“It’s a great shame and we’ll start negotiations so that the player can be happy. Maybe, just maybe, we won’t be able to agree terms and he can stay here,” said the vice-President optimistically.
It will take in the region of £35m to bring the 2004 Ballon d'Or winner to Stamford Bridge, although Milan could opt to include William Gallas, Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo as part of the deal.
“We would never have decided to sell Sheva. It’ll be tough to find a replacement. He scored 173 goals for us, although in my mind it’s 174, because I add the perfectly valid strike against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. That goal is still haunting me.”
The Ukrainian announced his decision to move to London yesterday afternoon, but insisted it was purely in the interests of his family, who speak English thanks to his American wife Kristen Pazik.
Now the Rossoneri are facing up to a life without Shevchenko after his seven successful years at the club, during which he was voted European Player of the Year.
“I’ll never forget the phone call he made to congratulate me on my return to the Italy squad,” revealed Pippo Inzaghi.
“Sheva was injured and had to plan his future, but he still found time to call me. It was a gesture I appreciated a great deal. I’m sorry to see him go, but if this is his desire then we must all respect it. Chelsea will become stronger, but Milan remain a great squad and are inferior to no-one in Europe.”
Azzurri hitman Alberto Gilardino also thanked his strike partner, even though they only spent one season together at San Siro.
“He really helped me to settle down at Milan. Sheva is a champion, but we have other great players and will start the next season with the intention of winning everything – just like we always do.”
Shevchenko had a very strong record in the Derby di Milano, putting 13 goals past Inter in all competitions.
“He is a world class player who can put you under pressure at any moment,” explained Nerazzurri defender Marco Materazzi.
“Milan have other champions and will know how to replace him. Are Chelsea unbeatable with Sheva? Barcelona remain the best in the world, because they have Ronaldinho.”