Euro 2012: Big 'names' that don't count for much

“Names do not play football … If they did, I could be playing now.” Those are the exact words of Oleg Blokhin, coach of the Ukraine national team, the co-hosts of the upcoming Euro 2012 tournament starting on June 8. Ukraine qualifies automatically for the Euros as co-hosts and it will be their first appearance in this tournament. Just like every other international tournament, the host nation would like to make sure they send out their best XI, and in spite of being weaker than most oppositions on paper, make their home advantage count. [caption id=“attachment_258965” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Shevchenko celebrates after a goal against Austria during their international friendly soccer match. Reuters”]  [/caption] And when you speak about names in Ukraine, there aren’t many bigger than Andriy Shevchenko, who was once counted as the deadliest finishers in the world. He is the man with the third highest number of goals in European club competition - with 67 goals – only Raul and Filippo Inzaghi have more, the striker with 175 goals for AC Milan and all time top scorer for his national side Ukraine. He moved to Chelsea for 30 million pounds in 2005, and since then, has been forgotten in the cruel world of football. “I have only just recovered and set about working with the squad. I am preparing myself really seriously. It’s very important for me to play a few matches to be able to get game practice. These months are crucial,” says the forward who has a few constant niggles these days and a back problem. “After a disappointing 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign that is my new challenge, or even dream. I will do everything to achieve that.” That is his plea to be picked, but whether he makes the deadline of being called up to the squad for a tournament less than three months away is still to be seen. There are many players who were brilliant until a transfer move which did not suit them led to utter ruin, and Sheva, as he is fondly called, is right up there. On the current trend, he is struggling; struggling for form, fitness and selection. [caption id=“attachment_258966” align=“alignright” width=“380” caption=“Arshavin is back in Russia. Reuters”]  [/caption] After his second spell at Milan, where he scored only two goals in 26 appearances, he was sent back to where he came from - Dynamo Kiev. He has managed to up the tempo a bit at Kiev with 28 goals in 77 games. But what is worrying is his international form. His last notable goal was against England in the 2008-09 season and since then, poor form has dogged him. But he isn’t alone. There are other big names who might not make it to this tournament. Shevchenko may be the most well-known case of a modern ‘great’ footballer sinking into near oblivion but there are others who are following his footsteps. And among them are Andrei Arshavin, Alessandro Del Piero and Fernando Torres – all of them struggling to be picked for their national squads (Del Piero, even at 38, would probably be creative spark for the Italian side). Arshavin is so desperate to be picked for Russia that he asked for a loan move to Zenit St Petersburg to keep his place in the squad. And to think that the player is the national captain! In his four appearances on his return to Russia, Arshavin has managed just one assist, far from the scintillating displays that are more common from the fleet-footed forward. But if you thought that Shevchenko was the last player to meet his doom at Chelsea, then look up the squad list this year and you will find a certain Fernando Torres going through a similar phase. One thing that still sets apart the Spaniard is his style of play, more raw pace and strength as compared to Sheva, and he has at least been piling up the assists, the most recent being Salomon Kalou’s goal in the Champions League quarter finals against Benfica. But national selection will still be an issue for him. With Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao making sure the whole world sees what he can do in front of the net against a team like Manchester United, and with Spain facing no dearth in talent, Torres not being selected will not be surprise. At his current goal-scoring rate, David Villa – on one leg – may be a better bet. Another name which might not grace the Euros is Alessandro Del Piero. The long-standing Italian hitman has not been called up since Italy’s qualifier against Georgia 2008. Despite this, he has kept on going for the Old Lady of Turin. The goals have dried up though and Del Piero has managed just three goals in 19 matches for Juventus. Even if it comes as a surprise, Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United may also be left out because of the resurgence of Joloean Lescott, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. As some players look forward to the Euros, expecting to shine through and make a big career move, some players like Shevchenko, Del Piero, Arshavin and Torres will hope they are not part of a list of just big names who were left out.