Chelsea prepare for Sheva talks
Chelsea are set to open negotiations with the man they hope can help fire them to Champions League glory after AC Milan accepted Andriy Shevchenko’s transfer request.
The Ukrainian captain has long been a target for the Blues, and Stamford Bridge would now seem to be the preferred destination for the 29-year-old striker.
Chelsea, though, have been warned they must meet the asking price for a player who is still under contract with the Italian giants, and had been offered a new deal to stay.
Shevchenko appeared alongside Milan’s vice-president Adriano Galliani at their offices in Via Turati yesterday afternoon at a hastily arranged press conference to announce his decision.
It is understood the player’s American wife is keen to move to England, and Shevchenko maintained: “I am leaving for family reasons.
“I want to thank the club for everything it’s given to me.
“There is no problems regarding my relationship with anyone in the club or any financial problems.”
Galliani, in day-to-day control of the club owned by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, commented: “I have tried to convince him to stay - even one minute prior to the press conference.
“This is certainly the most painful divorce since I have been at Milan and from now on we will begin negotiations with Chelsea and it will not be easy.”
Shevchenko is the second highest scorer in the history of AC Milan, behind Gunnar Nordahl, netting 173 goals in his seven years at the club. He is also a former European Footballer of the Year.
The striker reflected: “Of course I am saddened because I have seen the looks on the faces of the fans and because of the many messages I have received.”
Shevchenko and his American wife Kristen Pazik have an 18-month old son called Jordan Andriy, but the striker insisted: “My wife has nothing to do with this. We decided together for the best interests of our family.
“I do not speak English, my wife does not speak Ukrainian – the only language we have in common at the moment is Italian and the only way to be able to teach our children our love that we have for them is the English language.”
Earlier this month, Chelsea secured the services of German captain Michael Ballack on a lucrative three-year deal. Ballack was available on a free transfer after his contract with Bayern Munich expired.
The 29-year-old midfielder also had the chance to move to Manchester United, but the reported £130,000-a-week contract with Chelsea may have played a significant part in his decision.
Bankrolled by the billions of Russian owner Roman Abramovich, the club have unrivalled financial muscle, with Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos also said to have been offered a big-money move to the Premiership.
Although not directly commenting on the latest development with Shevchenko, it is no secret Blues manager Jose Mourinho sees the prolific Ukrainian striker as the man to provide the killer touch in front of goal his side had been missing in their European campaigns.
Earlier this week, chief executive Peter Kenyon said: “It was felt what we wanted to do was bring in a different type of player. Michael Ballack fits that bill, the likes of a Shevchenko fit that bill.
“That type of player comes with an age and comes with an experience, probably outside the Premier League.”
