SHEVCHENKO - THE REAL DEAL?

REAL Madrid's Raul was recently asked who he would most like to play alongside. His answer was AC Milan's Andrei Shevchenko. That comment has put the Spanish rumour mills into overdrive, but just how good is the Ukrainian forward, who many believe currently to be the best striker in the world?

Former Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said of Shevchenko: "Even in matches where he doesn't play particularly well he still manages to leave his mark." This season he has hit the target with 82% of his efforts, and when you have a shooting accuracy as good as that then it is no wonder he often leaves a lasting impression.

So far in Serie A, Shevchenko is the joint leading scorer with four goals. Last season he scored 24 goals from 100 shots attempted which gives him an excellent goals-to-shots ratio of 24%. The player dubbed "The Wonder From a Cold Land" also set up four strikes for his team-mates.

His pass completion rate of 81% is excellent and with 25 dribbles and runs already attempted, it appears that Shevchenko is living up to his billing as one of the games' top stars. Rivaldo, Figo and Zinedine Zidane are the current top trio and it is worth noting that the latter pair are already at Real Madrid at a combined cost of £90m. Any bids for the AC Milan striker may be unlikely though, especially given that Zidane is yet to prove himself and after spending £48m on him the board might be reticent to hand over similar amounts.

Shevchenko once stated "My club will decide when and to whom they will sell me, but I can tell you that Milan won't be the last team in my professional career." He went on to say, "I would love to continue my professional career in Spain, most of all at Real Madrid, because I want to win a title." However, the Ukrainian has since signed a new contract and is bound to it until 2006 - but in reality, all it means is that any potential suitors would have to pay more for Milan to release him from the contract.

The thought of Raul and Shevchenko, backed up with Zidane, Figo, Roberto Carlos and the rest of the Madrid stars is potentially awesome and something that is unlikely to be seen outside of the realms of Championship Manager. But with money superseding loyalty, Shevchenko's burning desire to win a title and Madrid's transition into the Harlem Globetrotters of football, you cannot rule out the possibility of the move happening.