Thu 30 Mar 06
The Blues’ orange revolution
Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko is going to Chelsea, according to The Guardian:
Roman Abramovich’s persistence in trying to add Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea’s payroll seems to have paid off, with reports suggesting that the Ukraine striker will sign for the Stamford Bridge club this summer.
Chelsea’s owner has been courting Shevchenko for three years but had been turned down three times. However, the Russian billionaire appears to have made it fourth time lucky, with Shevchenko agreeing in principle to a four-year contract worth in excess of £110,000 a week.
 Personal terms have apparently been agreed with the player and Chelsea have been assured that he is prepared to put in a transfer request to Milan.
The San Siro club value him at £35m but Chelsea would appear to be content - and wealthy enough - to afford such a fee, even on top of nearly £23m in wages which they would have to pay the player for his services over those four years. However, the £10m-rated Argentinian Hernán Crespo could go the other way in part exchange.
The move for Shevchenko confirms Jose Mourinho’s plans to rebuild his team for next season. He has already lined up the German midfielder Michael Ballack and has been linked with a move for Arsenal’s left-back Ashley Cole.
To paraphrase what Jerry Seinfeld said about McDonald’s and cows, I don’t think Roman will be happy until all the other Premiership clubs start surrendering voluntarily.
Damian P.
For shame that Shevchenko succumbed to the lure of filthy lucre. He should have freely donated his talents purely to the cause of footie just like Michael Owen.