Alexandre Pato Fansite

Romance was in the air last night as Andriy Shevchenko reignited his love affair with AC Milan and resigned for the Italian club. Even at 31 and with an unsuccessful two-year spell at Chelsea behind him, the Ukraine striker was welcomed amid a frenzy of back-slapping at the Milanello training complex.

Love is also blind, it is said, and it will be difficult for Shevchenko to recapture the form of his best years at the San Siro, from 1999 to 2006. Although the fee was undisclosed, Milan are likely to have paid only a fraction of the £30 million that it took to take Shevchenko to Stamford Bridge.

Silvio Berlusconi, the Milan owner, is a friend of Shevchenko and was a prime mover in the return of the prodigal son. Adriano Galliani, the vice-president, also played a role. “This is a family,” Galliani said. “I’m happy that we’ve succeeded in bringing him home.” Kakha Kaladze, the Milan and Georgia defender, added to the eulogies. “I am happy to be able to embrace Sheva once again,” he said. “For us footballers, it is not nice to find yourself out of form. Now, Andriy can return to form with us.”

Shevchenko will enjoy favoured status, unlike the closing months of his bleak stay at Chelsea, during which the former European Footballer of the Year endured a series of injuries after scoring only nine league goals in two seasons. Despite his friendship with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, he became a peripheral figure. “It was unfortunate I suffered a number of injuries during my time [at Chelsea] but I always gave my all,” Shevchenko said.

However, Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, will have to tread a diplomatic line between pleasing Berlusconi and determining whether Shevchenko merits a place in his first team. Ancelotti has a galaxy of other forwards in Ronaldinho, Filippo Inzaghi, Kaká and Pato.

Mathieu Flamini, the former Arsenal player, could have a similarly difficult task in earning a regular slot in midfield. He faces competition from Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Emerson.

Philippe Senderos, the Arsenal and Switzerland centre back, may be more fortunate in finding a place. He is on the verge of joining Milan on a season-long loan, with Ancelotti concerned about the long-term fitness of Alessandro Nesta, the Italy defender.

Ancelotti is undaunted by the possible politics. “I am happy to welcome back Andriy, who Milan strongly wanted,” he said. “I think he can be useful to us as he was in the past.”

José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, who signed Shevchenko at Stamford Bridge, also gave his stamp of approval. “The important thing is for him to be happy,” Mourinho, who is now coach of Inter Milan, said. “I can’t say I wish great things for him because Milan is a rival, but let’s say I hope he becomes champion of the Uefa Cup.”

Mourinho’s barb – that Milan, unlike Inter, failed to qualify for the Champions League this season – is a reminder that the club Shevchenko left behind are not the same force. He may not even be able to reclaim his No 7 shirt, which is now worn by Pato, the 18-year-old Brazil forward.

Galliani attempted to resolve the issue. “Maybe our baby [Pato] will give Sheva his No 7 back,” he said. “But it’s not really fair to ask him.”

Shevchenko, apparently, could not care less. “As far as I am concerned, No 76 would do fine,” he said. “Or 70 or 77. For me, it’s just enough that the number is on a Milan shirt.”

(TimesOnline)