Sheva sheva wherever you are..

It’s winter in Europe, and while the rest of Europe takes a well-deserved hiatus from football, we crazy fans in Malaysia can content ourselves with the thought that the English league will once again provide us with some form of entertainment. As we laugh merrily at the sight of the perspiring “Santa” and smile wickedly at the mini-skirted “Santarina”, spare a thought for poor old Andriy Shevchenko, the 30 year old, 30 million pound, misfiring striker of Chelsea.

After conjuring a delightful finish against Levski Sofia in the Champions League, Sheva must have thought he deserved some encouraging words from Jose “I only do it my way” Mourinho. Instead, in an interview with the English press, the “Chosen One” clearly stated that there are currently nine “untouchables” in his team, but Shevchenko is not one of them.

The fact that he explicitly stated Sheva’s name is an indication that perhaps if the right offer comes along, Sheva could go either on loan or even more surprisingly, a permanent move, after just 3 months trying to gel with the reigning English champions.

Sheva himself admits that Mourinho’s style of play does not suit him, and from a tactical point of view, he might be right. Mourinho, though adamant that he would only choose the best team playing the best formation, has shown that he is also prone of “compassion-itis”. Despite Chelsea clearly struggling with the pathetic attempt of playing with 2 strikers, Mourinho has forged ahead with the noble idea that sooner or later his expensive signing would hit the back of the net on a regular basis.

The only problem is that his insistence on playing both Drogba and Sheva is hurting Sheva AND Chelsea more than he would admit. There is an imbalance to the side when Sheva and another anonymous summer transfer, Michael Ballack, play together. Jose tried gamely to fit them into the new 4-1-3-2 formation with little success. Chelsea’s rock solid defense cannot turn quickly into attack like last season when they were playing with two out and out wingers in the form of Joe Cole and Robben.

It is a sad sight to see one of the game’s greatest predators trying to drop deep, or out on the wing, and start play for his team when instead he should be in the box, ready to apply one of his trademark finishes. And just like Hernan Crespo, Jose doesn’t seem to appreciate the special qualities that only out and out predators have.

So while Chelsea fans continue to condemn Sheva, just cast your mind back to last season, where your forward line was led by a bumbling, clumsy, diving impersonation of a decent footballer by the name of Drogba. This season Drogba has shown what a little bit of patience, and time, can do to your all around play and confidence.

Go on, and have faith with the Ukrainian. But I’m a Manchester United fan, so this might just be an ingenious ploy to distract the fans from the simple fact that their signing is a flop…