Football news

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko said he is baffled as to why manager Jose Mourinho has not played him this season.

The Blues claim Shevchenko, 30, is still recovering from hernia surgery despite the player having scored in a charity game in Ukraine this week.

"I don't know why Mourinho isn't playing me - I don't understand it," the Ukrainian forward said.

"But I'm not worried. I will just wait for my chance to come."

The striker, who was signed from Milan for £30m in 2006, has failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.

Bresciano still on City list

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is still keen on signing midfielder Mark Bresciano.

Eriksson was keen to lure Bresciano to Eastlands before the August transfer deadline but the deal fell through after City and Palermo failed to reach agreement over the transfer fee.

Eriksson has been promised money to spend in January and Bresciano is set to be his main target.

"We were always interested in him," Eriksson told the Manchester Evening News. "He might be a possibility. But it is too early. Let's wait for a couple of months then see exactly what we need."

Wigan charged with misconduct

Wigan have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players at Newcastle United last week.

"The charge relates to the conduct of their players towards referee Steve Bennett in two separate incidents," said an FA statement.

Wigan have until Wednesday, September 19 to respond to the FA charge.

The Latics lost 1-0 through a late Michael Owen goal at St James' Park and had midfielder Kevin Kilbane sent off after 46 minutes for two bookable offences.

'Ballack made wrong move'

Franz Beckenbauer believes Michael Ballack chose badly when he moved from Bayern Munich to Chelsea last year.

"Moving to Chelsea was a mistake, I think," Beckenbauer, chairman of Bayern's supervisory board, told Bild newspaper yesterday.

"At Manchester United his position was free and he would have fitted in perfectly. The same at Real Madrid. At Chelsea, his place was already taken by Frank Lampard - a top player and a local hero."

Ronaldo to return against Siena

Brazilian striker Ronaldo is expected to make his return for Milan next week after he received a definite diagnosis on his injury.

Milan were concerned by the continuous injury problems plaguing Ronaldo but yesterday medical tests showed that he is struggling with a thigh injury.

"We started on August 8 when we gave Ronaldo a scan that showed a severe strain," doctor Jean-Pierre Meersseman explained.

"Initial X-rays weren't very clear, so we decided to wait for a bit before giving him another scan.

"Results revealed that the strain is less serious and he should be back playing against Siena."

Delvecchio set for Belgium move

Belgian champions Anderlecht are lining up a move for ex-Roma veteran Marco Delvecchio (picture).

The 34-year-old forward has struggled to find his feet since leaving Roma in 2005 after making 269 appearances with 77 goals at the capital club.

Delvecchio spent last season on the sidelines at Ascoli and has been allegedly considering offers from Serie C sides. But he is set to fly to Brussels within the next week to meet with Anderlecht manager Franky Vercauteren and finalise the move.

Aquilani vows to stay at Roma

Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani is ready to commit to his future to his club Roma despite attracting interest from a host of high-profile clubs.

The 23-year-old has hit a rich vein of form this season and is ready to negotiate a new deal with the capital club.

"Alberto will play for Roma for a long time and, despite the flattering interest of a number of other prestigious clubs, he is ready to commit his future to the club," agent Franco Zavaglia said.

"Of course, Barcelona, Valencia, Chelsea and Arsenal all want him, but Aquilani has never had any doubts about where he wanted to play since he was a little boy."

Giggs earns Kanchelskis praise

Andrei Kanchelskis has tipped former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs to play on for years to come.

Kanchelskis and Giggs formed part of the Manchester United side that won the club's first league title after an absence of 26 years in 1993 before winning the double the following year.

"I don't find it incredible that Ryan is still performing at the top level because he has always been a great professional who has looked after himself properly," Kanchelskis said.

"I only finished last season at 38. I stopped when I was still at Premier League level in Russia. I think Ryan will do the same. But it won't be yet. If I can play until 38, why can't Giggs?"

Lehmann dismisses criticism

Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is confident he remains number one choice for both club and country.

Manuel Almunia has been between the posts for the Gunners' last three matches, but Lehmann insists this is purely down to his injury rather than a reflection of his poor form.

"I feel I am the number one at Arsenal and Germany, although I know I have to train hard every day to justify this," Lehmann said.

"If Almunia stops everything, then I may not play again, but from experience, I know I have played consistently."