The £30m Ukraine hitman starts his second game in a row tonight against Valencia in the Champions League.
With Didier Drogba sidelined recovering from a knee opeartion, and Saloman Kalou preparing for the African Cup of Nations in January, now is the time for Sheva to show his worth.
Chelsea can also play Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, but he is the Blues fourth-choice man.
Avram Grant is struggling to come to decide if he wants another striker or not.
He is worried that if he buys in the January sales and that player becomes a turkey, it will reflect badly on him.
This ponderous element to the manager's side could rebound in spectacular style later in the season when silverware is up for grabs.
For now, there is no choice - Sheva plays and if Sheva scores then the Abramovich chequebook remains closed.