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Chelsea deny Shevchenko ready to leave

Andriy Shevchenko celebrates Chelsea's opening goal against Levski Sofia at Stamford Bridge stadium in west London, on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP

Chelsea denied reports on Thursday that Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko is prepared to leave after just seven months at the Premier League club.

Shevchenko was widely quoted in British newspapers on Thursday as saying that his game didn't suit Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and that he was ready to "pack my bags" if necessary and return to former club AC Milan.

"Everyone is writing about me being sent on loan to Milan," Shevchenko was quoted as saying. "I still haven't discussed this question with the management but the bosses themselves probably still haven't decided. But if it happens, I'm ready to pack my bags."

The quotes apparently originated in a Russian magazine, ProSport.

"Andriy Shevchenko has denied comments attributed to him in the media this morning regarding his form, his relationship with Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich and his future at Chelsea Football Club," Chelsea said in a statement.

The club issued quotes it claimed were the correct translation of Shevchenko's interview.

"I have total respect for the Chelsea club and fans as well as for football in England and the culture of the country," he said, according to the Chelsea statement.

Good and bad

"There are always good and not so good moments in sport, that's normal. If that means there is opinion and criticism, I respect that," Shevchenko said according to the statement.

The Ukrainian joined Chelsea in a four-year, ?30 million (US$59 million) transfer in May after spending seven successful seasons with AC Milan.

He had scored 173 goals in 296 games with the Italian side.

Shevchenko has failed to reach his Milan standards so far at Stamford Bridge, and there has been widespread speculation he could return to the San Siro during the January transfer window.

"I'm a completely self-confident person," Shevchenko was quoted in the British news reports as saying. "If I don't suit somebody then I'll go back to Italy and prove how good I can still be."

`Not finished'

"I'm not finished as a player. On the other hand I have nothing to prove. Everybody knows what Andriy Shevchenko is capable of," he was quoted as saying.

The 30-year-old striker has scored three Premier League goals, one League Cup goal and one Champions League goal in 19 matches for the reigning Premier League champions.
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