Shevchenko proved last night to be the peerless Euro star as Blues of Chelsea cruise past the ineffectual Levski Sofia into the last sixteen of the Champions League.
If not quite a landmark game, or even a landmark moment, it was most important to Andriy Shevchenko who was given the chance to notch his 57th goal in European competition and in doing so becoming the second-highest goalscorer in its history. This puts the erstwhile faltering (at least in the Premiership) Ukranian ahead of Raul and Eusebio and just five behind Gerd Müller’s record of 62. Who would bet against him out-doing the barrel chested German before the end of the season, especially if Chelsea keep on disposing of teams with a maximum of efficiency, though somewhat lower in the spectacle stakes?

It was also Shaun Wright-Phillips moment as he notched up his first-ever goal for Chelsea (this in his 52nd appearance) and it may well have been his last goal for the club he joined for £21m two summers ago given the probability of his leaving in the January transfer window. Beside SRF, Sheva’s total might start looking respectable.

Shevchenko’s fee, however, dwarfs that of Wright-Phillips, and Chelsea’s return on their £30.8m signing is still to be reaped but this first Champions’ League goal in blue may prove to be the start of something more dramatic. The aplomb with which he took his first-half opportunity, flicking the ball in with the outside of his right boot, was vintage Sheva and bodes well. The Stamford Bridge crowd afforded him a most generous of ovations when he was substituted - how fortunes change when you think back to his substitution at Old Trafford 10 days ago.

“Hopefully in the knock-out stages he has some more to make us go further,” chimed Mourinho afterwards. Probably not just the wish of thousands of Chelsea fans, but surely of one Andriy Shevchenko as well.

From Independent Sport

Chelsea finished top of their Champions League and Andriy Shevchenko got back on target, becoming the second highest scorer in European competition.Shevchenko finished superbly with the outside of his right boot to open the scoring on 27 minutes.Shaun Wright-Phillips smashed home from outside the area late on for the Blues’ second.

After a mere 68 seconds, Shevchenko won the ball near the half-way line and played in Arjen Robben, who eventually cut the ball back to the Ukraine striker but Shevchenko’s shot was well saved by keeper Zhivko Milanov.When the goal did come, it was unsurprising that it was from Sheva on the left flank - as both he and Robben had enjoyed success on that side.The Dutch winger switched the play from right, via Lampard, Shevchenko provided the finish from the left-hand side of the box.

As Chelsea dominated, Ricardo Carvalho had a shot cleared off the line and Levski managed only one effort of not on the Chelsea goal. Chelsea finish top of the group with Barcelona, who were inspired by Ronaldinho tonight in the Nou Camp, in second place.

From BBC Sport

‘All this Shevchenko talk is pure fantasy’ said Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder, dismissing talk that he could possibly land Sheva on loan after newspapers suggested the move was a possibility over the weekend.

The Ukrainian striker continues to struggle, but talk of a move to the Magpies appears to be nonsensical, at least according to Roeder.

He said: “Shevchenko is a wonderful player and a player any club would love to have. But I have not contacted Chelsea about him and I will not be contacting them.

“I am afraid some of the transfer talk over the weekend is pure fantasy.”

Meanwhile, another main player in the Sheva saga, Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, was very busy denying the club will be making a move for either Andriy Shevchenko or Ronaldinho in the January transfer window.

Despite these denials however, rumours of Shevchenko’s possible return to the San Siro refuse to go away. Galliani said: “Shevchenko was sold because he wanted to be and it is not plausible that Chelsea, having made an important investment, can give him back six months later.

From Goal.com

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has denied holding talks with Chelsea about a January transfer window return to San Siro for Sheva.

The Ukraine striker has been struggling to make an impact with the Blues this season following his £30m transfer in the summer. He has scored just three league goals and is yet to find the net in the Champions League.

“At this time there have not been any negotiations with Chelsea, regarding Andriy Shevchenko’s return to our club,” said Galliani, who, even if he did want him, would have to sell another non-EU player to make room for the 30-year-old in Milan’s squad under Italian rules.

Shevchenko, meanwhile, took time after last night’s 1-0 Premiership win at Bolton to reiterate his commitment to the English champions. “I give 100% all the time. I am committed and hungry for success with Chelsea,” he said. “I have total respect for the club and fans as well as for football in England and the culture of the country. There are always good and bad moments in sport, that’s normal. If that means there is criticism then I respect that.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists there is a clear improvement in Shevchenko’s game. “The most difficult position to play is striker. They live on statistics, how many goals, how many assists,” he said. “Thierry Henry, I am told, scored one goal in 12 matches when he moved to Arsenal from Juventus. It is not easy to adapt. Italian football is different to English football even though we play much the same system as AC Milan.

“Shevchenko is making a clear improvement. He is very alive on the field as he showed against Bolton. He is making penetrating moves and runs. He is also becoming more adept at pressing opponents when the team loses the ball. To be honest I do not care about goals, I judge players on other items. He knows the way I think about football. I will support him the maximum I can. I cannot wait for the future when we will see the best of Shevchenko.”

From Guardian Unlimited