Shevchenko hits back at Mourinho jibe

AC Milan forward Andrei Shevchenko has hit back at Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho’s claim that the Ukrainian failed at Chelsea because he was too used to being pampered.

Shevchenko signed for Mourinho at Chelsea from Milan two years ago, although it was a badly kept secret that the Portuguese boss didn’t want to sign the striker, who was a personal favourite of Blues owner Roman Abramovic.

Shevchenko arrived for 30 million pounds with a reputation as the best finisher in Europe but he endured a dismal two-year spell in the Premier League, scoring just nine goals, and rejoined Milan earlier this week.

Mourinho then claimed that Shevchenko’s hero status at the San Siro caused him to struggle to adapt to his ways at Stamford Bridge.

“He was like a prince in Milan and at Chelsea our philosophy was different, we had no princes,” said Mourinho.

“Everybody needs to work like everybody else and prove he deserves to play.

“I think maybe he lost some self-confidence. Step by step a player goes in the wrong direction.”

Mourinho regularly left Shevchenko on the bench at Chelsea but even after he was dismissed soon after the beginning of last season, his successor Avram Grant still didn’t pick the Ukrainian.

But Shevchenko dismissed Mourinho’s comments.

“I was never treated like a prince, as you know I even had some problems here at Milan but I overcame them through hard work and sacrifices,” Sheva told gathered press as he and Milan’s other recent signing Philippe Senderos were being presented to the media.

“Right now I’m happy to have returned home. The most important thing for me to is get playing again, I want that so badly.”

However, it’s not just Mourinho who has been having a dig at Shevchenko with former Milan legends Alessandro Costacurta and Zvonimir Boban both questioning the 31-year-old’s signing.

“I know it will be difficult but I’ve chosen with my heart,” added Shevchenko. “With respect to the other teams I can’t see myself playing with any other jersey in Italy.

“I know it will be tough to win back the fans but I’ll do everything to do so.”