Sheva fights his corner
18 Jan 2007 - 09:42:29
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- Sheva fights his corner
Chelsea's £30million summer signing Andriy Shevchenko has blasted reports that his friendship with Blues owner AS Roman Abramovich is a major cause of tension at Stamford Bridge.
Shevchenko has failed to hit the heights since his big-money arrival from AC Milan, scoring six times in 29 outings for the Blues and being left on the bench several times in recent weeks.
However, the Ukraine ace says he is more than happy to stay put and try to impress coach Jose Mourinho.
He told The Times: "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 AS 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."
The 30-year-old added in The Sun: "I have the greatest respect for Jose 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.
"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."