Oliveira: I'll fill Sheva's shoes

        Ricardo Oliveira will fill Andriy Shevchenko’s Number 7 shirt for Milan and maintains the fact he’s an unknown face in Serie A will help him make his mark.


       “I was told the number was free and wanted it, then after they explained it used to be Shevchenko’s I was even more determined. I have a lot of respect for Shevchenko, who wrote a page in the history books with Milan, but now I’m here to write my own,” said the Brazilian.


         Oliveira’s £10m transfer was only decided on the last day of trading and some in the Italian media considered it a let-down after rumours linking the Rossoneri with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Didier Drogba.


       “I’m not scared of controversy and do not feel the pressure of fan expectation. Inter have bought a lot of star names, but Milan are a strong side and can certainly challenge them for the title, even with an eight-point handicap. Lyon were offering me more money, but I was determined to join Milan, a club that is the dream of all players. This move is a challenge and an opportunity,” he told the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’.


        Oliveira was the Liga top scorer in 2004-05 for Real Betis Sevilla, but joined San Paolo on loan to recover from a serious knee injury.


      “It’s better for me that the fans and opposition players don’t know what I’m like. They’ll soon learn my name. I know I’ll need a little time to give my best, but I came here to play, score goals and win. With hard work and focus, I will achieve those aims. I played as a lone striker at Betis and San Paolo, but I like to move around and get the ball, opening up spaces for my teammates. I won’t let the fans down.”