Sheva vows to work harder
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has vowed to put in more hours on the training field if he fails to regain his place in Jose Mourinho’s side.
The £30m (€46m) Ukrainian forward has been disappointing in his first season at Stamford Bridge and after missing the last two matches with a muscle strain, is vying for a recall against Liverpool at the weekend.
But the former AC Milan player has shrugged off suggestions that there is tension between him and Mourinho and insists he would accept any decision the Portuguese manager made.
Shevchenko, 30, said: “I have the greatest respect for Mourinho. Whether he respects me you would have to ask him. He has won two titles at Chelsea and he has won the Champions League (with Porto). He has proven he’s a great coach and a winner.
“I respect Mourinho’s decisions. He’s the coach and if he decides I’m not capable then I just have to work harder. It doesn’t matter what I think. He has the final say and it is not just about Shevchenko. If he decides I’m not okay to play I will go back to training and do what I can to get back in the team.”
Shevcheko described as “over exaggerated” reports in some quarters that he is more favoured than some of his team-mate by Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
Shevchenko said: “My contract runs for four years. I have been attacked from all sides but I intend to carry on. I will grit my teeth. I am no quitter. I just want to be kept out of the politics. Those rumours are all lies. A lot of things have been said which aren’t true. They have caused a lot of hurt.
“There are things written about my relationship with Roman Abramovich which have been over-exaggerated. My relationship with him is the same as every other player. He’s the president, and I am a player – it is entirely professional.”
