Chelsea misfit Sheva faces Ancelotti Champions League squad snub

27 August 2009 11:44
Andriy Shevchenko is set to be left out of Chelsea's squad for this season's Champions League, dealing yet another blow to the striker's Stamford Bridge future. The Ukrainian was told yesterday that he is the club's fourth-choice forward behind Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou, and because of squad restrictions imposed by UEFA for the competition Shevchenko was told he is unlikely to be included. Shevchenko is the third-highest goalscorer in the history of the competition, behind Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy. But Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is poised even to use Daniel Sturridge - the inexperienced 19-year-old striker signed from Manchester City during the summer - in Europe's top competition instead, according to The Times. In addition to their 25-man A list squad, the Blues can name a B list of players from anywhere in the world born after January 1, 1988, enabling Sturridge to come in and bolster the squad, which must be lodged with Uefa by next Tuesday. Shevchenko's position in the main squad is unlikely because of UEFA regulations placing emphasis on youth production. Champions League teams must have at least eight 'locally trained players' on their 25-man A list: four 'association-trained players' affiliated to the domestic national association and four 'club-trained players', who have been registered with the club for three years, between the ages of 15 and 21. Such a snub must surely push Shevchenko closer to the exit at Stamford Bridge, and the striker has been linked with loan moves to Zenit St Petersburg and Dynamo Kiev before the transfer window closes on Monday. But the former AC Milan star has so far resisted any move, including a switch to Turkish side Fenerbahce this summer, despite enduring a torrid three-year stay at Chelsea. And Ancelotti may be tempted to keep Shevchenko on the books as he knows he could be without Drogba and Kalou for nearly a month during the African Cup of Nations in Angola next January. But he may have a job keeping the striker happy in the meantime, with Shevchenko's only appearance so far this season a four-minute cameo as a substitute in last week's Barclays Premier League win away to Sunderland. Chesea are also without Drogba for three Champions League games this season, due to his suspension following the ill-tempered semi-final against Barcelona last season. If the Blues were to be given a tough assignment in the group stage in today's Champions League draw, it may yet save Shevchenko as Ancelotti's team would need extra firepower in the absence of Drogba. It is not the first time a big name Chelsea player has been omitted from a Champions League squad in controversial circumstances. In 2007 Michael Ballack was left out of Jose Mourinho's squad as he failed to recover from an ankle injury until after the group matches were completed.

Source: Daily_Mail