“I had to change the way I played, adapt to English football. I believe it’s normal to have a period of adjustment. I arrived at Chelsea following a difficult season for me with injuries and a World Cup behind me, but I have now overcome that difficult time.”

Things were going so badly for Shevchenko that he had even received criticism from Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho has been more complimentary in recent times and Shevchenko admitted: “With Mourinho, things are going well.”

The Blues host Porto tomorrow in the return leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Shevchenko, whose brilliant strike earned his side a 1-1 draw in Portugal, said: “We have the quality to win the Champions League.

“Against FC Porto, it will be a very delicate and difficult game because they are a good side. But we took home a positive result and now we have very good chance of doing well.”

As for Milan, the Rossoneri have struggled since Shevchenko’s departure but nevertheless reached the last 16 themselves.

They go into Wednesday’s game against Celtic on the back of a goalless draw in Glasgow.

“Milan is growing and I see the team that is much better,” he said.

“They played a great game against Celtic and only missed the goal. I think they will go through.”

Shevchenko is still a big fan of Milan and remains close friends with club president Silvio Berlusconi, who is the godfather of his son.

There have been reports linking the former Dynamo Kiev star with a return to Milan, but he has no intention of going back.

“I speak with president Berlusconi often,” said Shevchenko.

“For me, it was extremely difficult to tell the president that I wanted to leave,” Shevchenko said.

“I’ll never forget Milan. For me, it was a very important experience and one which has allowed me to become the player I am. But I made my choice, I arrived in England and now I want to continue on this path.”