Andriy Shevchenko reflected on football in Ukraine over the last 12 months, Milan’s search for a new striker and the idea of seeing Romelu Lukaku at Napoli.
The Rossoneri are clearly on the hunt for a new striker heading into the summer transfer window and have seemingly identified Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee as their primary candidate to take on the role, with other options like Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez in the background.
In the meantime, Antonio Conte has officially taken over at Napoli and is hard at work on the club’s market plans with Aurelio De Laurentiis. Reports have suggested that he’s keen to be reunited with Lukaku, who has returned to Chelsea after his year on loan with Roma.
Shevchenko weighs in
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Shevchenko first reflected on the state of Ukrainian football over the last 12 months.
“A great year. We concluded two seasons despite the war that has lasted for two and a half years, for the first time our national team also qualified for the Olympics. We have many collapsed stadiums, but we resist, and there are people who invest still in football.
“For us the expression ‘we can’t do it’ doesn’t exist. We send a strong message, Ukraine wants to live and go further, we don’t just think about resisting.”
He spoke about the national team’s objectives at the upcoming European Championship.
“Getting through the group, I think it’s a feat within our reach, then we’ll see. We are the youngest team in the tournament, but we have a chance. And we have great motivation, we play for a people who never give up.”
Shevchenko spoke about how it feels to be the president of the Ukrainian Football Association.
“I’m learning a new job. I’m interested in creating a system, we monitor our young players everywhere. We need a staff that pays attention to everything.
“The thing that makes me most proud is the growth of all the teams even at youth level. Now many of our kids they play outside Ukraine, a condition that has made them grow.”
He was asked if Paulo Fonseca was the right choice for Milan.
“I don’t know if it’s official or not, I can say that Paulo worked well in Ukraine and left a mark. He is a competent and respectable person. A serious person. Then I don’t know what plans Milan have and what his are. They’ll talk about it, I assume.”
Shevchenko discussed the Rossoneri’s search for a new striker.
“It seems logical to me after Giroud’s departure. Giroud, a true centre forward, also did fabulous things at Milan. Replacing him won’t be easy.
“Without him, we will need another true striker, capable of guaranteeing 16-17 goals. The team’s problem in recent times has been that of the forwards who score little.”
He was also asked about the idea of seeing Lukaku at Napoli.
“We know Lukaku’s characteristics. As I said, it depends on how the coach intends to play.”
Finally, Shevchenko discussed his favourites for the European Championship.
“England, France, Spain, Italy, who have many variations, Germany. But also Belgium, Croatia and Austria, which is very solid, are good teams.”