Berlusconi: "Sheva wants Milan" Saturday 11 November, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Milan President Silvio Berlusconi caused shockwaves by claiming Andriy Shevchenko has asked for a return to Serie A.
“I spoke to Shevchenko most recently yesterday,†he said from the stands of San Siro for tonight’s match with Roma.
“He rang me up and I was very pleased to hear from him, as I was with many people at the time who sent him an affectionate round of applause. Naturally a chant of ‘Sheva, return to us’ started up and he said he’d like that very much.â€
It’s no secret that the Ukrainian has struggled to adapt to the Premiership since his £30m summer move to Chelsea.
He has scored just four goals in 14 official appearances for the club and is said to be finding it difficult to make friends in London.
Berlusconi’s statement will surely fire up already existing speculation that Shevchenko could return to the Rossoneri next season, or even as early as January.
It would be a valuable boost for Milan, who are having problems hitting the back of the net this term with Alberto Gilardino, Ricardo Oliveira and Pippo Inzaghi all stuttering.
However, the patron – and former Prime Minister – denied that Oliveira would be loaned to a Brazilian club mid-season.
“You can tell Oliveira is a great player, you only have to look at what he achieved in Brazil and Spain. He had a fitness problem he hasn’t quite recovered from yet and is in the middle of a painful family matter, so he needs time to work through these things, but I know of no request to go back to South America.â€
Oliveira’s sister was kidnapped in Brazil last month and it’s believed he’ll return home to be closer to his family during this difficult time. From: Channel4.com
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