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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