Friday, March 9, 2007

Shevchenko denies criticism of Mourinho

Chelsea's Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko has denied giving an interview to a German website in which he appeared to criticise coach Jose Mourinho.

In a statement released by Chelsea, Shevchenko insists the interview was a complete fabrication.

Shevchenko declared: 'This is complete rubbish. I have never spoken to this German website or to the journalist who claims to have interviewed me.'

The club statement continued: 'The only official comments from Andriy appear on the Chelsea website, his own website or in interviews organised by the club, his sponsors or official pre or post-match press conferences.

'Andriy and Chelsea FC will now be considering what further action to take.'

German tv website sport.ARD.de. claimed that Shevchenko had spoken of the tensions within the club.

'It's true I have complained about Mourinho, but there are a lot of things which drove me to that,' Shevchenko was quoted as saying.

'A few months ago I suddenly became his dartboard because he was having a spat with the president at the time.'

Failing to find his form since his high-profile move from AC Milan, Shevchenko showed his hand by allegedly saying: 'I'm an employee of the club so I do what the president says.'

'The manager never spoke to me or played me in the position where my strengths lie. '
'It's also no secret that I was more on Mr Abramovich's wish list than the manager's. '
'In the transfer talks, Mr Mourinho seemed positive and happy at first.'

Talks of a rift at Stamford Bridge have been reported in the media for the past few weeks, and Shevchenko is reported to have hinted that it was the root cause of his troubles: 'A manager should be objective and not take it out on a player. For the first time in my career a manager said in public that I did not completely fit in with his plan.

'That's not exactly great motivation. If he thinks that why am I here?

'One on one with me he cleared the matter up and said his opinion had been twisted. But inside it still bothers me. '

'I don't like arguing but I don't forget things either. If the club boss asks me again what I think of the manager then I'll speak for me personally. '

'Mourinho is a very good manager, but I don't fit into his system. In any event I know it can't carry on like that. '

'Our relationship is professional. Nothing more nothing less. He is a tactical fox and has strict beliefs, but I've had better managers.'

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