[06/01] Sheva, Mourinho and Kenyon Talk
Andriy Shevchenko has responded to José Mourinho’s claim that the player has always been his first choice for Chelsea. Mourinho meanwhile has confirmed that he can see the new arrival working in tandom with Didier Drogba.
Speaking to Chelsea TV after putting paper on his four year contract, Shevchenko said of Mourinho’s long-term hope: “They are strong words for me and I am very happy that Mr. Mourinho said them, especially as they are words coming from one of the best managers in the world.
“I am looking forward to proving on the field that he was right when he said that. I have spoken to him for a long time and I feel that he is a very special person and a very clever man, as well as someone who knows a lot about football.”
The new club record signing from Italy’s Serie A backed himself to hit the ground running when the new Premiership campaign kicks-off.
“I hope I can adapt quickly,” he said, “but it depends also on the World Cup and the pre-season. What is for sure is I will put all my strength and my soul to start at my best from the beginning.
“Football is most technical is Spain and most physical in England. In Italy it is a mix of everything so I am prepared for everything. I am happy to face the new challenge.
“I consider myself a striker but my first thought always is to think about the team because I want to settle in the team in the best possible way – learn the language, learn the other players, follow the strategy of the coach. Always my thought is about the team and to make the team even stronger with my goals.”
Mourinho told Chelsea TV: “The signing is a great moment for Chelsea. He is one of the best players in the world in the last decade and I think the Chelsea players will receive him with open arms because they know when you want the next step, it must be with players of his dimension.
“A lot of people were speaking about Andriy to come and Didier Drogba to go but that was never, never, never the idea. They are two strikers with very different qualities. Andriy has creativity, speed with the ball, movement, intelligence, he is an amazing player. Didier is strong, powerful, a fighter, fantastic in creating spaces for other people to score.”
The manager reaffirmed he can see the two working as partners.
“Andriy has a lot of times played 4-4-2 in Milan like Chelsea do a lot of times with a diamond in midfield and two strikers.”
Chief executive Peter Kenyon, the man who negotiated the transfer confirmed the player had long been a target:
“Since my first conversation with José, he has always been on the list. I have spent every summer having discussions with Milan and I am delighted we have pulled it off this time.
“Selling Chelsea to him was fairly easy. He has had a great career at Milan and is up for another challenge. He sees the Premiership giving that and Chelsea the club that can fulfil his ambition. The difficult part was doing a deal with Milan.
“This demonstrates Chelsea are operating at the top level because he is recognised as probably the best striker in Europe, and he comes from a massive club in Milan.”
(chelseafc.com)
[06/01] Lampard: 'A Fantastic Signing'
Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard and Joe Cole believe the signing of striker Andrei Shevchenko showed the English champions are moving forward.
Shevchenko, who will captain Ukraine at the World Cup finals, was signed from AC Milan on Wednesday for a fee estimated at 30 million pounds.
“It’s a fantastic signing,” Lampard told reporters on Thursday. “He’s certainly one of the best if not the best striker over the past five years in Europe and a fantastic addition to the squad.
“The past few years we’ve been doing that every summer—trying to rebuild, trying to bring in the right players, the players we need to improve our squad.”
Shevchenko’s arrival follows that of Germany skipper Michael Ballack on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
“It’s a great message for Chelsea fans, that we keep moving forward,” Lampard said.
“Everyone knows we are a very hungry club and have very hungry players. Everything we’re involved in will be open to win and having players like Shevchenko coming into the squad will hopefully help that.”
Cole, who like Lampard is with England preparing for the World Cup, also felt the club had made a statement by bringing on board the former European Footballer of the Year.
“I’m looking forward to playing with him and hopefully making him a few goals,” he said.
“It’s a step in the right direction for the club…and alongside Ballack it’s two major stars at the peak of their careers.”
Chelsea did not reveal the fee but said it broke the club record of 25.98 million pounds paid to Olympique Lyon for Ghana midfielder Michael Essien last August.
The west London club also signed Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee on Tuesday.
(Reuters)
[06/01] Ballack Excited to Team up with Sheva
Germany captain Michael Ballack has expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing alongside Andriy Shevchenko for Chelsea next season.
Ukraine skipper Shevchenko has joined Chelsea from AC Milan in an estimated £30m (€43.7m) transfer, which will spearhead the club’s attack in the Barclays Premiership and Champions League.
Ballack was full of praise for the 29-year-old, who has been a prolific scorer in Europe and Serie A for several seasons.
Speaking at Germany’s World Cup training camp in Dusseldorf, Ballack said: “I am very happy to play with him next year. He is a great player and I am really excited.
“I have not been in touch with him over the transfer and have not spoken to him since.
“I will wait until after the World Cup to get started with such things.”
England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard also welcomed Shevchenko’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, hailing the transfer as a “great buy”.
Lampard added: “He is a fantastic striker, the top striker in world football over the last five, six or seven years for his consistency of goalscoring.
“I’ve enjoyed watching him and he’s the sort of player you love to have in your team. It’s a great buy for us.”
(iol)
[06/02] Sheva Continue Wearing No. 7
Andriy Shevchenko looks set to wear the number seven shirt next season after José Mourinho indicated the player can continue with number he has sported for many seasons.
“He will have his loved number seven in a Chelsea shirt,” confirmed his new boss.
Chelsea’s new record signing made the squad number his own at AC Milan and it is also the shirt he wears for the Ukraine national side. So dear is it to him that his personal official website is titled
www.sheva7.com
The squad number was last worn at Chelsea by the departed Maniche.