Sheva was yesterday branded his wife’s lap dog by Milan president Silvio Berlusconi.

The controversial former prime minister’s blistering attack should put an end to any hopes wantaway Shevchenko may have had of returning to the struggling team who are most definitely second fiddle to high-flying Inter. The blast is even more amazing when one considers that Berlusconi is godfather to Shevchenko Junior.

However, Shevchenko will be staggered by billionaire Berlusconi’s comments, made at the Milan Christmas party.The former Italian Prime Minister said: “A true Milanista and a real man would not have behaved like this. At my home I’m in charge and decide what happens. Instead, when Shevchenko’s wife shouts, he runs under the bed like a lap dog. His wife, Kristen, ordered him to London with their children where the fog will do their lungs the world of good.” Obviously Berlusconi has never been to London or he is ignoring the fact that his own city is the fog bound capital of Italy.

Just last week, Berlusconi called Shevchenko and begged him to return to Milan, but Sheva’s answer is unreported. Shevchenko was last night backed by Milan vice-president Umberto Gandini, saying “Sheva is probably the best striker in the world but he is also a very humble man.If he was a different personality — the kind of bighead you often find with strikers — then maybe he would have handled this differently. Others would be complaining at the style Chelsea play. How it doesn’t suit him and that there is no service to him. How can they expect him to score goals? But Sheva has a great deal of humility and instead stays quiet and tries to adapt. He is a team player who does not want to upset the dressing room. What I would say to Chelsea fans is that I have seen Sheva develop over the last seven years. When he came to us from the Ukraine it was like he had arrived from Outer Space! He didn’t know the language or the game and struggled badly like he is now. But he will score goals in England. He left Milan the best forward in the world and that has not changed.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea were yesterday paired with boss Jose Mourinho’s former club Porto in the Champions League last 16 while Milan drew Scottish giants Celtic.

From thesun.co.uk