A player dips over time, not as suddenly as Shevchenko has.

Doesn't this put question marks over Mourinho's handling of the player and / or his ability as a tactical coach

It seems that Chelsea's style is dependent upon a battering ram approach, more brawn than brains, more gritty than pretty; it is therefore no great surprise that Shevchenko doesn't really fit the system, but isn't it quite damning of Mourinho that the best striker in the world barely a year ago is now not able to dominate a game against a bunch of part-timers

For all the money spent surely they should be capable of supplying ammunition to Shevchenko to allow him to at least look like an international striker. He can do it for his country but not for Chelsea seemingly

In my industry if we were to spend £30m on a machine we would normally ensure that we had the support structure to allow that machine to work properly

Ged, London,

He is not a regular player so how do you expect him to become some prolific striker. He is use to playing with an attacking midfielder in Kaka and, to a lesser extent, Pirlo who would lay chances on a plate for him. In this Chelsea team he has to scrap and create his own chances.

And you won't get the Sheva of AC Milan, becuase he is not playing for the Class A eggs that are AC Milan. Instead he is playing with a tightly packed box of Class B players which means that his goal ratio and form on the pitch will suffer as a result.

Angelo Evangelou, Hendon, UK

I do not think that he has not got the support of his manager.I can not see why the manger of chelsea fc is trying to demoralise his fit playes with an analogy of an egg before the the game that took place yesterday.The blame should be on the manager who has never ever tried to boost a player who can of course deliver.Good luck for Sheva

nesredin, Glasgow, Scotland

Guys, did you ever look at Sheva before Chelsea? He was never a runner, even in Milan. But there was a team: people give passes and he scores. In Chelsea Essien goes 40 meters and strikes istead of giving a pass to Sheva who is free and can score from a good position. The same with Lampard - he strikes instead of passes, the same Drogba. And Makelele gives passes only to Drogba. Sheva could score from Ambrosini, Pirlo, Cafu, Whoever passes. The same he does in Ukrainian National Team. Please, be bothered and watch last Ukraine-Italy game. Then probably you understand that the article worth nothing.

Max, Lviv, Ukraine

I was more shocked at the quality in the final third by his partners up front. Chance after chance ended by poor quality passes by Kalou, Malouda and Joe Cole. The only person up front with quality passes was Shevchenko. More often than not his counterparts were trying long speculative shots that didn't come close to the net. I would like to to see what Shevchenko could do with some quality passes that would give him more quality chances. I fear he will not be getting them if he stays at Chelsea. Rosenborg moved the ball around better then Chelsea in the final third.

LOW, Regina, SK, Canada

Laurie Walterson, Regina, Canads / SK

It would also help if he had some backing from the team management. However good he might be, if he isnt wanted, and made to feel so, he wont perform. That is human.

Having said that, I dont really care about chelsea. So it is all the better that they didnt win. Wish they had lost. Anything to wipe that smirk off Mourinho.

shrikant , London, UK

Its absolutely ludicrous to suggest that Sheva has lost it. The truth is that Mourhino has no idea how to instill confidence in players, especially those with genuine quality. Does Wright-Phillips ring the bell? Crespo? Ballack? Look at the confidence with which Arsenal players play. Chelsea players, especially Schevchenko, look terrified of making the wring move, of making a mistake. How can you possibly blossom in an environment like that. Mourhino has mad eit very clear, often making substitutions after 20-25 minutes that players will be held accountable for all the mistakes which is why they are so dull. Anyone who knows anything about the game will know that confidence is everything which is what Sheva needs. He looks like a scared puppy which is ridiculous considering his pedigree and potential. Mourhino never wanted any player to overshadow him and that was ultimately his downfall. he needs to learn that people are not disposal parts but human beings with feelings

Misha, london,

Spending £30 Million on a striker was folly and madness anyway.

Sheva HAD pedigree and WAS a great player and his signing ranks up there with Veron going to Utd (and the Chelsea)...however I don't think the fact he was/is close to Abramovich and wasn't a player on Mourinho's radar (and subsequent manager / owner problems arose) helped...

Jonathan Jones, West Byfleet,

The main reason for Shevchenko's mediocrity since arriving at Chelsea is not his lack of pace (he was never the quickest anyway) or any psychological baggage he may be carrying. No, the most important factor in his decline is the fact that he spent most of his career playing precision football where he was expected to time his runs onto the end of slide-rule reverse passes into the box. His goalscoring came as a result of his intelligent reading of the game. The Premier League is a whole different ball game to Serie A, faster, more chaotic and much less sympathetic to the sort of forward play Shevchenko thrives on. How he must regret ever leaving Milan.

gil gillespie, bristol, uk

Fully agree with Andrew and Mar. Sheva is a TEAM player, and in his position as a striker he is highly dependent on the quality of team effort (of course his effort is important as well). If he gets no support coming his way, he is forced to drop to the midfield to find his own opportunities. This is not what he was asked to do in AC Milan. This is not what made his star in Dynamo K. Last year Drogba was the focal point of every attack, and in many instances Sheva was quite selfless to make that extra pass to Drogba for a score. Mourinho is not a team coach as much as he makes everyone believe. And his constant game of "politics" within the team, pitting players against each other only made them more counter-productive. TEAM-play concept has been alien to English football for a long time now, look at the national team...

Vince , Milwaukee, USA

Disagree -100% . Sheva still one of the best players in the world today. His problem was his coach. Mourinho had no idea how to use this guy. ( If you get a Ferarri you should know how to drive it.) Sheva have always work for the team, but team have never worked to help him around. They were always looking for Drogba or Kalua in atack.... that's why he scored only couple of goals last season. Now, Mourinho is gone, I am sure the new coach will turn things around and Sheva will play much better. About some other comments... someone can't see exciting moments in his play.. show me at least some one who plaing well in Chelsea today? So, Toni, stop writing some "smart" philosophic remarks. You not even close to his gift. ;)

Andrew Dym, Chicago, USA

Now that the so-called "special one" has gone, Sheva will shine. Mourinho has turned him into the player he is today - which is a poor shadow of his former self.

Mar, London,

Tony your article is very true, Shevchenko is extremely unfit and really slow. He also shying away from free-kicks and shots from long-range which is quite surprising considering these factors did make him great. It is quite shocking to see such a large drop in quality in 1 year. I get bored watching him for Chelsea cos he rarely does anything exciting anymore. It would be useful if someone could do a comparison analysis of the factors which led to his degeneration compared to great players like Alan Shearer who maintained a high standard until their career end. Funny thing is, he doesn't look fat, so a 30% reduction in speed is acceptable but walking pace? He gets ridiculed by Mourinho week in week out too. Maybe he should just quit now so that fewer people will be aware of his condition. As a fan, it is difficult to accept your favourite players being ridiculed daily especially when that player has no chance of comin back since his mental will is not strong. Sheva could retire now.

jack, surbiton, UK

Agreed - totally. Sheva was never worth the money and neither will Ronaldinho be if Abromovic gets his way. Thank god he doesn't want to come to Chelsea!
There are also too many others trying to get their influence with Abromovic (including Kenyon) and persuade him to bring in this or that player.
Mourinho is the only one there who has any credibility in chosing players - let him do his job and the trophies will follow.
But then if owning Chelsea is your favourite toy the results should not be too suprising.
Still - better than watchig Liverpool.

Dan V, london, uk

We've all been saying this forever: He should have stayed at Milan. I'll be one of the many surprised people if he ever shows a glimmer of what he did back in Milan

KG, Providence, RI, USA

you're right: "mentally scarred". but ultimately, the problem is that he never established a rapport with his team-mates. and a lot of it has to do with the club's culture. chelsea is team composed of three cliques: the three lions lads, the portugese/brazilian lads, the african lads. on and off the pitch, these guys stick together. sheva will always be an outsider and it will continue to affect his game. in italy and in kiev sheva lived and played with his mates, those teams are big brotherhoods, they respected him, understood him. with chelsea he just doesn't fit in -- but can still be as least as good as ruud/ronaldo with the right team.

jo, Surrey,