Friday, August 28, 2009

Shevchenko opts to leave Chelsea

Andriy Shevchenko
Shevchenko was a record signing by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourninho

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced that Andriy Shevchenko has decided to leave the club.

The Ukrainian signed a four-year deal with the Blues in May 2006 for a club record fee of £30m, but spent last term on loan at former club AC Milan.

Shevchenko, 32, however, struggled for form and fitness in Italy and has decided to look for another club.

"Sheva didn't have the possibility to play consistently, so he has taken the decision to go," said Ancelotti.

The impending move represents a disappointing climax for the 79-times capped striker, who failed to make the expected impact at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti favours the forward partnership of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka and has further options in Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou.

606: DEBATE
zola101

His decision has left Shevchenko on the fringes of the first-team, although he made a substitute appearance against Sunderland in their 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light.

However, both parties have agreed that Shevchenko can look for a new club, and he is expected to leave before the closure of the transfer window.

"He would like to play with continuity here for me," added Ancelotti.

"But it is difficult for me to give him the possibility to play a lot of matches and he will take the right decision for him."

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho signed the striker, although club owner Roman Abramovich was instrumental in bringing Shevchenko to the club.

The former European Footballer of the Year hit 14 and 8 goals in all competitions during his first and second seasons respectively.

He was loaned last season to Milan, but failed to recapture the form which made him an idol with the Rossoneri previously.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti also denied that Chelsea have made a £57m bid for Bayern Munich's French striker Franck Ribery.

ะพ 6:14 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)