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Andriy Shevchenko: I'm a Chelsea fan for life
Ukrainian tells Goal.com he has fond memories of his time in London...
28 Jan 2010 15:40:00
By Michael Yokhin
EXCLUSIVE
It's been a relaxing winter for Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian superstar spent a few days at Dynamo Kiev’s training camp in Israel, at the pastoralic historic village of Caesaria. Despite consistent back problems, which require him to fly frequently to his favourite clinic in Munich, he feels well and intends to play for a few more years.
"There are some medical issues, but the doctor says they are not serious, and I can continue playing as usual at the moment," Shevchenko said exclusively to Goal.com.
"I’m glad to be back at the team of my youth. We have a good squad and a great atmosphere."
When asked if the current side is capable of achieving success in Europe, like the one he led to sensational results in the Champions Leagues in the '90s, Shevchenko replies: "Why not? The players are very talented, some are just not experienced enough.
"We played great games in Europe this season, took the lead in both games against Inter, and in the home clash with Barcelona. We were just lacking experience and the killer instinct to get more points. Maybe we were not lucky enough."
Shevchenko knows Chelsea and current boss Carlo Ancelotti better than most having spent a large proportion of his career playing under the Italian at Milan, and he rates the Blues' chances of success highly: "Ancelotti is a great specialist, and he has started his first season in England very well.
"He has a squad of great players at his disposal, and they are leading the table at the moment. For me, Chelsea are definitely clear favourites to win the Premier League title."
The former Milan star was a hero with the Rossoneri and he went on to state that he continues to support all his former clubs: "All the teams I played for will stay in my heart forever.
"I wish them all the best, follow their results and will always support them. That goes not only for Milan, but for Chelsea as well. I am a Chelsea fan for life."
The Ukraine striker admits that he also keeps in touch with Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi: "We spoke before Christmas, and wished each other happy holidays. We also had a discussion regarding the attack on him, but that’s a private issue."
Regarding his relationship with current Portsmouth manager and ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant, Shevchenko is positive: "Grant is a good coach. He did very well to guide Chelsea to the Champions League final, and it’s not his fault that crucial penalty kick went wide.
"I think that if we had won that final, he wouldn’t have been sacked. But that’s the way life is for all coaches. They are judged by results."
The Ukrainian regrets not qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with his national side, however, as they finished second behind England in Group 6 of European qualification and lost their crucial play-off against Greece.
"We had our chances in the play-offs against Greece, and they are not superior to us," he said.
"We just failed to score, and that’s why we are out.
"I will support Italy at the World Cup. I have many friends from Milan in the Italian squad, and since we are not playing, I will cheer for them."
It's been a relaxing winter for Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian superstar spent a few days at Dynamo Kiev’s training camp in Israel, at the pastoralic historic village of Caesaria. Despite consistent back problems, which require him to fly frequently to his favourite clinic in Munich, he feels well and intends to play for a few more years.
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"There are some medical issues, but the doctor says they are not serious, and I can continue playing as usual at the moment," Shevchenko said exclusively to Goal.com.
"I’m glad to be back at the team of my youth. We have a good squad and a great atmosphere."
When asked if the current side is capable of achieving success in Europe, like the one he led to sensational results in the Champions Leagues in the '90s, Shevchenko replies: "Why not? The players are very talented, some are just not experienced enough.
"We played great games in Europe this season, took the lead in both games against Inter, and in the home clash with Barcelona. We were just lacking experience and the killer instinct to get more points. Maybe we were not lucky enough."
Shevchenko knows Chelsea and current boss Carlo Ancelotti better than most having spent a large proportion of his career playing under the Italian at Milan, and he rates the Blues' chances of success highly: "Ancelotti is a great specialist, and he has started his first season in England very well.
"He has a squad of great players at his disposal, and they are leading the table at the moment. For me, Chelsea are definitely clear favourites to win the Premier League title."
The former Milan star was a hero with the Rossoneri and he went on to state that he continues to support all his former clubs: "All the teams I played for will stay in my heart forever.
"I wish them all the best, follow their results and will always support them. That goes not only for Milan, but for Chelsea as well. I am a Chelsea fan for life."
The Ukraine striker admits that he also keeps in touch with Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi: "We spoke before Christmas, and wished each other happy holidays. We also had a discussion regarding the attack on him, but that’s a private issue."
Celebrate good times | 'Sheva' remains a Milan hero
Regarding his relationship with current Portsmouth manager and ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant, Shevchenko is positive: "Grant is a good coach. He did very well to guide Chelsea to the Champions League final, and it’s not his fault that crucial penalty kick went wide.
"I think that if we had won that final, he wouldn’t have been sacked. But that’s the way life is for all coaches. They are judged by results."
The Ukrainian regrets not qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with his national side, however, as they finished second behind England in Group 6 of European qualification and lost their crucial play-off against Greece.
"We had our chances in the play-offs against Greece, and they are not superior to us," he said.
"We just failed to score, and that’s why we are out.
"I will support Italy at the World Cup. I have many friends from Milan in the Italian squad, and since we are not playing, I will cheer for them."
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