Eight days ago Andriy Shevchenko dismissed for the umpteenth time this summer stories linking him with Chelsea. But that wasn’t enough for the English press; today the Guardian once again links him with a move to The Bridge.
They report that Jose Mourinho’s growing frustration over the Michael Essien transfer saga — the Daily Telegraph says we’ll sign the Lyons midfielder “within 48 hours” — has forced him to make another attempt to sign the European footballer of the year. Apparently the club is already in discussion with AC Milan and ready to pay the popular figure of £60m — or £45m plus Hernan Crespo or Didier Drogba. Milan are said to be tempted.
The newspapers persist in printing the Shevchenko to Chelsea story; does that mean there’s more to it than meets the eye?
Personally I’m hoping it’s more pure speculation; the equivalent of £60m for a 29-year-old is utter madness, no matter how good a player he is.
Chelsea deny move for Shevchenko · Update
Following continued media reports that Chelsea are making major bids to purchase the AC Milan and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea has made the following statement.
“It is club policy not to comment on speculation linking Chelsea to players. However there are continuing, and totally incorrect, reports regarding Andriy Shevchenko that only serve to destabilise unnecessarily those players already at Chelsea.
“The club has made it quite clear that we are seeking to bring in one more player, and we have also made it clear that this will be a midfield player, if it happens. We are not seeking to sign a forward and we have total confidence in those we have.”?
It’s refreshing to read such an outright denial. Maybe now the newspapers will cease publishing this ludicrous story.
