Shevchenko then went close with a glancing header before forcing goalkeeper Marco Amelia into a wonderful reflex save on a close-range volley.

His role is that of a moving attacking who has a great sense of goal, a first striker moves less than Sheva, who is still an attacker who can play with anyone.

Meetings with Chelsea officials were expected to take place after the Champions League Final in May, even if Shevchenko had insisted that he wanted another chance to prove himself in England.