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| Thursday 10 April, 2008 |
| Blog: To Shev and back |
| Milan fans have complained about the plan to bring back Andriy Shevchenko, but Steve Wilson thinks they would change if he was a success |
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Football fans are so fickle. A player can go from zero to hero and back again in seemingly no time. Yet while their loyalty to the individual changes with the seasons, their faith in the club itself is unshakeable. Like an over zealous best friend of your girlfriend, they will turn on you the moment the slightest hint of a betrayal crosses their radar.
That appears to be the case with Milan's tifosi and Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian struck almost 200 goals for the Rossoneri before his departure to Chelsea in 2006, but the manner of his exit was what stung and wounded the fans. From the stands it appeared that their idol had jumped on the Chelsea bandwagon, chasing a bigger wage rather than records and trophies with Milan.
By now I think we can say that his time at Stamford Bridge has been a failure. He may have a reasonable goal-to-game ratio, but the goals mainly came against small teams and not when it really mattered - a Champions League quarter-final strike against Valencia apart. Injuries and unfavourable tactics have also restricted him, but in hindsight it wasn't the right move, and many times he must have dreamed of going back to being Milan's Sheva, not Chelsea's Shevy.
However, the recent suggestion that they may swoop for him in the summer has met with anger, with one Ultra group protesting against the club's transfer policy by highlighting his unsuitability. “We absolutely rule out Shevchenko, who is 32 and would fill the only non-EU slot, preventing Milan from signing a younger, better player,” they fumed, clearly not forgiving or forgetting.
While some think the 2004 Ballon d'Or winner is past his prime, I believe he would flourish if he returned to San Siro. I am sure that if he had netted a few times in the opening weeks of the 2008-09 season, the support would be back in his corner. His appearance on Milan's bus at the Emirates Stadium certainly suggests he still has a strong bond and is ready to atone for his mistake.
It is undeniable that Milan need a new striker. Alexandre Pato and Alberto Paloschi desire an experienced father-figure and even Alberto Gilardino would benefit from a re-link with Sheva - remember the 36 goals the duo hit in 2005-06? Adriano Galliani has hinted that the alternative is to recall either Marco Borriello or Ricardo Oliveira - wouldn't you rather take the old pro?
If he does return this summer I would be very surprised to see too much negative reaction. Fans may be fickle, but they are also suckers for sentiment. Although Milan didn't make the most of the £30m they received for him, to get him back for peanuts would be something of a coup. He has a point to prove and I'm sure he would quickly silence his critics - even those on the terraces.
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I think that the Rossoneri need to give Marco Borriello a chance next year. He has proved at Genoa that he knows where the back of the net is and it's time for Milan to usher in a new era instead of relying on the same old - this being the apt word - faces. It's time for a San Siro clear-out and, as much as Sheva is a legend in these parts, signing him would just be taking one step backwards..
Bill Lang
Have to agree. No idea what Milan fans are all about - they talk one day all about waiting for Ronaldo to get fit and not turning their backs on him because Milan is a club "about heart" and all that, and yet they turn their backs on one of their most successful strikers of all time. I can see where they're coming from in not wanting Shevchenko back but its so hypocritical that its unbelievable.
Simon Lamb
The clubs very disappointing season is the sign that a new generation of players is required. They got away with it in previous seasons by surprising us with magnificent against the odds successes, but the time has come to ring the changes. Sheva was a legend, no question but he's not got any younger and I agree with Ancelotti that he would not be entirely compatable with Pato. If the club is to keep faith with the tactician then they need to put his opinions on playing staff ahead of any emotional sentiment towards Shevchenko. The defence needs a reshuffle, an alternative to Pirlo is needed and I feel Borriello deserves a shot up front, although the prospect of Drogba being available in the summer should be a major talking point for Milan in the near future...
Neil Robertson
I think that the only person the Sheva switch would be useful for is Sheva, and Sheva only. While the Chelsea experience has almost entirely changed the Sheva we knew and loved, a now older Sheva would struggle with life back in a league with defenders that know him ever so well. The return of Sheva will put back the development of the club, and that of Paloschi and Pato. We need to show a little more faith in the younger strikers. Sheva decided to leave Milano, even when almost everyone knew that it was a mistake. He once said that Milan didn't make him what he became. He stated that he was only loved because of his goals. As an Ultra I will have to stand by my brothers who are certainly not fickle, and have the club's best interest at heart. Sheva broke our hearts. I will not buy a season ticket if he comes back.
Roz Salihiano
I think Milan should take Sheva back. I've been debating this with my Dad for a few weeks and we have come to the conclusion that it could do no harm. Yeah we wasted the money on Oliviera but there’s so much talent with Pato that Sheva is only gonna make him even better. In fact, he might even help Gilardino find form and that really would be an act of God! However, Milan fans will need to face facts that if we get Sheva, then the chances of Ronaldinho are slim… Which is a shame because I think he would be fantastic alongside Pato and Kaka, it would just be like the 3 Dutchmen all over again.
Riccardo Giovanacci
Sheva should go to the MLS glue factory and Milan should look to the future. The Rossoneri already have too many mature players and too few players in the 20-25 age group. Next season, they can try things out with Pato, Borriello and Paloschi. A better choice for a new forward could be Huntelaar or Benzema.
Vas
I think the important aspect that most people are missing is that Sheva was trying to accommodate a spoiled, demanding wife who decided on his move. He has kept in touch with old team mates and attended the Champions League Final as a Rossonero. That aside, I can see him similar to Pato, but then did they not say that he was also incompatible with Inzaghi? I’d say Sheva made more of an effort to adapt and made that partnership work....with a football brain like his, he will. Think of how Pato will learn from working, training and playing with him too. There’s a bigger picture here and if you consider how Arsenal embarrassed us with their superb technique, lets concentrate getting rid of those who should never have been near a Milan shirt and rebuild. Sheva is a true Rossonero and will without doubt do more than Gilardino has done. A keeper and defenders remain the priority in my mind though with only Maldini and Nesta being the standard required.
Gary Parker
Roger that big time Gary. And given the fact that they have a similar style of play, Pato could really learn a lot from Sheva and maybe one day outshine his mentor's fine history in the Milan shirt. Milan is in Sheva's blood and vice versa, but I would hate to see him fall through and not be up to the task given to him. It would be such a shame for his legacy. So the possible homecomming, will require an immidiate impact on the team. And where is Gilardino, Ronaldo and the other strikers in this equation? Someone has to go I think and with the likely arrival of Ronaldinho, it's starting to get crowded in attack. Assuming Pato, Kaka and Ronaldinho are starters. No doubt someone will feel overlooked and I don't think Inzaghi, Ronaldo (big if here...), Gilardino and Paloschi will put up with a view from the stands for long. Whatever happens a major overhaul is needed this summer. Keeper - a must buy! And Amelia fits the bill perfectly.
Jakob Lund
Like many loyal fans I have always been thankful to see Sheva in our colours. However for whatever reason he chose to move and good luck to him, if it didn't work out it was his mistake. Is that for all Milanista's to be concerned about? No, I like to think we saw the best of him thanks. If we sacrifice the only non-EU slot for him I believe that would be our mistake. Milan could look to bring the younger talents of Andrei Arshavin instead whose speed, vision and youth would certainly compliment Pato and Kaka much better I believe. Sorry Sheva but Arshavin is the new you!
Jakob Lund
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