Farewell to a true professional

By: Jack | August 31st, 2009

Andriy Shevchenko is finally ending his time at Chelsea. The Ukranian agreed to return to former club Dynamo Kiev three day ago, the club where it all started for him some 15 years prior.

I, for one, am going to miss him. I have always enjoyed Sheva. Sure his time in London was nothing short of a nightmare. For anyone else, it would have been disastrous. Not Sheva.

Never — never once — did this man complain. Never did he express his disgust with either the club, the manager, or the suits. He just did what was asked, a lesson for all professional athletes in this age.

And, lets not forget, he provided us with some fantastic moments. Some truly sterling ones, really.

March 2007. FA Cup quarterfinal replay. White Hart Lane. The Ukranian hitmen struck out of nowhere. It was the sort of glaring, unmatched skill Roman thought he was getting when he tossed 30-odd notes at Berlusconi a handful of months earlier.

Then there was 2008. A league win at home to Manchester United would pull Chelsea level on points. Ballack’s penalty in the 86th minute gave Chelsea hope. Sheva’s goal-line clearance from a Darren Fletcher strike a minute into added time preserved it. It was truly amazing.

We’ll miss you Sheva. We here at the Cheslea Offside wish you the very best as you return home. Good luck, my friend.

Selected quotes from Sheva’s final interview with Chelseafc.com:

“I always tried my best for Chelsea and it is only my decision to leave because I want to play regularly in games. I thank the club and Roman Abramovich very much, and everybody who has worked at the club and the players, I have many good friends here and a very good relationship with them and Carlo Ancelotti.

“I have big respect for (Ancelotti), he is not like a manager but a friend and he understands my decision, it is best for me.

“I feel when I played for Chelsea I received big support from the fans. I will remember for all my life this club and I hope I can come to the stadium and say ‘goodbye’ to the fans, I want to send a message to thank them for their support and to enjoy their football and watching their team, I send my best thoughts for the team and hope that Chelsea wins many titles.”

White Hart Lane

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Category: Chelsea Team News, Potpourri, Transfer News, Video

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Nico

It's a shame chelsea lost sucha great player... But i personally believe chelsea still has solid, talented players placed throughout the pitch. this was a sad loss for the team but chelseas still an amazing club!
John

The whole harshness and injustice of this bullsh*t reminds me of the Eduardo incident. What's going on in the football world? Is this really the meaning of justice?
mattsmash

Seems to me we're paying the price for our behavior after the Barcelona game. great.
Jack

Please Martin, I'm with my gf so I have been preoccupied. And, really, has there ever been a more blatant singling out of a club?

Like Arsenal are so pure & chivalrous. Beveren anyone?
AM

ffffffffffff, are you sure we're the only one?
Martin

Can somebody check on Jack and make sure he's okay? I'm worried he might have had an aneurysm or something when he heard the news...
steven.

i'll never forget Dudeks double save against Sheva in Istanbul .. oh, memories ..
ffffffffffff

No AM, it's not just Chelsea. But Chelsea deserve the punishment the most because are a dirty, corrupt club.
AM

You airheads that come up here to profess your amusement makes ME amused. You think that it's just Chelsea that taps up young players? Which club gave a job and a house to a player's father to influence his decision to come to EPL?

Anyways, cross fingers for a decreased punishment.
John

Please, it'll be reduced. It's FIFA. I can imagine a fine being the final outcome.

People need to stop panicking.
drew

what a joke of a club
hahahahaha
YNWA

F*** off chelsea FC, you ain't got no integrity
ph0bolus

Seems a bit harsh...should be reduced.
ffffffffffff

AHAHAHAHAHAHA, you deserve it SUCKAS
Tomatutomate

The credit for finding this goes to Hector, from, bafcelonafootballblogdotcom
Tomatutomate

Lol VJ
Vj

I'm a Culé and I don't.. :)

Seriously, I don't think you need any transfers till Jan' 11.
Tomatutomate

Even I a Culé think this is excessive.

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/...
Pete

Maybe we should've held onto him after this f'ing BS ban just put on. How is this any different that what Real Madrid or any big club does on a daily basis?
Blueb

Good man not treated fairly. Heard he is the man to deliver chelsea the champions league trophy with 2 superb goals. Gone with the chance.
mattsmash

The official Offside EPL fantasy league code is:

*drum roll*

988699-350255
Siva

There are Strikers and then there are Super strikers....The ones that are pure class,calm and composed...

SHEVCHENKO WILL ALWAYS BE A SUPER STRIKER!!!

I HOPE THE LEGEND CONTINUES TO SCORES NUMEROUS GOALS
Finnegan

This man is like the pinnacle of professionalism. It takes a different level of class to be able to stay tight lipped when you're out of form, riding the bench, and criticized by an entire country. Not once did he complain, blame the league or the club or the manager or the players or the team, he only tried as hard as he could to improve himself. And it didn't work out. That sucks, but its life. I hope Sheva does well wherever he goes because he certainly deserves a return to form.
Luka

The Community Shield in 06 (his first real game for Chelsea) was the last time we saw the real Sheva. Every game after that was an amazing and truly sad disappointment.
Chelsea shirts

It is a real shame he never made it at Chelsea he was a top player
Yevy

From Jack's article and the comments above I am glad to know some Chelsea fans have a soft spot for Sheva, despite not meeting the massive expectations that followed him to Stamford Bridge. While some of the qualities that made Sheva a world class striker have deserted him, his reputation as a consummate team player remains untarnished. Case in point: Sheva was offered the Dynamo captaincy on his return this weekend. The role is currently filled by Artem Milevskiy, a 24 year old striker and Dynamo academy product who no doubt grew up idolizing Sheva and would have handed over the armband in an instant. But Sheva declined, saying he intends to lead by example and not by title.

The move to Kiev will be good for Sheva, Dynamo, and especially the Ukraine national team. He will have a chance to regain match fitness, something he hasn't had for two years, as well as play alongside several of his international teammates. Sheva's partnership with Milevskiy will be key to Ukraine's World Cup hopes.

I am also happy to report Sheva made his debut on Monday, playing the second 45 and scoring a goal in a 3-1 Dynamo victory.
Fwembt

I'll miss him immensely. He was a class player in every way. It's a shame it didn't work here.
Chri

I thought I was the only one going to miss this great soccer player, a true professional. I will definitely miss him
mattsmash

Hey Jack!

is their a Fantasy Football league for the Offside this year??
jon

I'm with you Jack. It just didn't fall for him, but I loved seeing him in the Blue kit. A rumor came out today linking him to my club, DC United, after his two year spell with Kiev ends. Color me pumped.
Jack

He didn't "destroy" his career. Unfortunately, pace had abandoned him - and Milan knew that.

He was sensational in that Villa match.
ph0bolus

I think he was just finding his form again, he looked ok during the pre-season..Wish we would of kept him for at least another season..Will always remember his game against Aston Villa his best game in a Chelsea shirt...
cap123

such a chap. good luck sheva
MoMONEY

Is it really a lesson for all professionals? Im just playing devil's advocate but he did end up destroying his career. Used to be an incredible player at Milan...
Rob

Absolutely agree 100%. I wish he had been a bigger success in this country.