AC Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti has warned Portsmouth that Chelsea reject Andriy Shevchenko remains one of the game`s most lethal strikers.
The Ukraine international returns to England on Thursday after a miserable two seasons with Chelsea, where he managed just nine Premier League goals.
The 32-year-old has gone back to Milan on loan and although he has featured little this season, Ancelotti expects him to make an impact in Thursday`s Uefa Cup clash at Fratton Park.
"He is still one of the best strikers in the world," said the Milan chief.
"He will start against Portsmouth and I`m hopeful he will play a great game. He has worked very hard getting fit."
Ancelotti feels the Ј30million Chelsea paid for Shevchenko was a fair price and that the Blues did not play to his strengths.
"Chelsea always play with just one central striker and two wingers so Shevchenko was never going to take (Didier) Drogba`s place in that system," he added.
High-quality
"They bought a high-quality striker and I don`t think he was allowed to express himself to the full. The money they paid was good value at the time."
Victory would book Milan`s passage to the knock-out stage having beaten Heerenveen and Sporting Braga in their previous Group E games.
Pompey, meanwhile, have a tough task on their hands to go through as they lost 3-0 at Braga in their only previous group fixture.
"We are confident we can seal qualification for the next round here," said Ancelotti.
"We know all about Portsmouth and they are a strong side at home. They will also have the crowd behind them which will be very beneficial but we have travelled everywhere and I believe we will not be intimidated.
"The dressing rooms may be small and the stadium a little old-fashioned English ground but the pitch is in good condition and when it comes to scoring goals that is what is important."
