CARLO ANCELOTTI, the Milan manager, has suggested that Andriy Shevchenko's inability to make any consistent impact since his €38 million move to Chelsea is to do less with a lack of fitness than with "psychological" problems as he struggles to adapt to life in a new country.
Shevchenko had surgery on a groin complaint over the summer which prevented him from beginning pre-season training with his team-mates. The 32-year-old has stepped up his preparations since, however, though Luiz Felipe Scolari indicated yesterday that the Ukrainian will play only a bit-part role in the Railways Cup, which Chelsea began by losing on penalties (after drawing 1-1) against Lokomotiv Moscow last night.
Given that the Brazilian intends to use this four-team tournament as an occasion to fine-tune his first-choice line-up, Shevchenko's lack of fitness has effectively returned him to the fringes of the squad, with little prospect of beginning the opening Premier League game against Portsmouth this month.
Ancelotti, who worked with the striker in his pomp at San Siro, feels that Shevchenko could still make his mark at Stamford Bridge despite having scored only nine league goals in two seasons at the club, though only if he comes to terms with life in the country.
"I'd say the reason he has not had the same impact as he did in Italy is that, when he moved to Chelsea from Milan, that is a hard thing to do," said Ancelotti. "He had to move to another country and the environment changed.
"All these factors obviously affected his condition. He's trying to play the way he can. I believe he has great talent and we have seen that many times. If he overcomes these problems, which are mostly psychological and, I think, because he moved to a different country, then he will achieve a lot in the Chelsea team."
It appears unlikely, however, that Shevchenko will have that chance in the weeks to come.
"If it is possible to use him here, then I will," said Scolari. "But I came to this tournament to look at my team for the game against Portsmouth and I am preparing my team for that game. I'm not thinking about these matches just to give Shevchenko a game. If I have a chance to put on three or four more players, then possibly [he will feature]. If not, I will follow my idea for Portsmouth.
"I had 75 per cent of my team in my head after the Asia tour and now maybe I have 85 per cent. Now I want to wait for these games and to see the other players who are training in Cobham. The games we played in China weren't strong matches. After these matches I'll have an idea for my players and for the games in England."
The Rossoneri had inquired with Roman Abramovich - who visited the Chelsea team hotel on Thursday - as to whether they could re-sign Shevchenko over the summer but, having been rebuffed, Milan have now dropped their interest.
"We are thankful to Andriy for everything he has done for Milan but it's in the past now," he said. "He's our past. Now he has a new life and he belongs to Chelsea."
Chelsea have reiterated that Didier Drogba, recuperating from a knee injury, will stay at the club next season with negotiations ongoing over Robinho's potential signing from Real Madrid.
"One of the key issues with Robinho is the fact that Real are looking for a replacement," said the chief executive, Peter Kenyon. "That's what has been holding up discussions. It's not progressed over the last few days but the window is open until the end of August. But there's absolutely no question that any deal would be done regarding Didier. Didier is in rehab and is, and will continue to be, a Chelsea player."
