Andriy Shevchenko will go down as one of the best strikers in the history of football but even he wouldn’t want to look back at his troubled spell at Chelsea. The Ukrainian striker failed to live up to the billing at Stamford despite his phenomenal spell at AC Milan. The transfer of Shevchenko to Chelsea in 2006 also turned out to be the starting point of the falling out between Jose Mourinho and the Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
Shevchenko was Roman’s preferred target, not Mourinho’s
Although Mourinho dominated the Premier League during his first spell (2004-2007) at Stamford Bridge, he was not a big fan of Abramovich’s preference for high-profile signings. Such was the case with Shevchenko. Although Mourinho was averse to his arrival, Abramovic was hellbent on landing the Ukrainian striker at Stamford Bridge. Even Shevchenko admitted that Blues were persistent on his signing.
The Ukrainian said (h/t Planet Football): “Because of his persistence and as my life situation changed I decided the time was right. It meant a lot to me that Chelsea have wanted me for the past three years and that is the reason I chose them.”
Shevchenko failed to adapt to the English top-flight and he was overshadowed by the presence of Didier Drogba, who was at the peak of his powers at that time. Although 14 goals and 12 assists in his first season with Londoners was a good return, he was not a popular figure with the fans.
Things became a little complicated in the second half of that season when Mourinho dropped Shevchenko from Chelsea’s squad against Wigan. It was due to that the Blues’ hierarchy prevented Mourinho from adding another striker in the winter exchange.
Abramovich later made it clear to Mourinho that he had to rely on Shevchenko and not to sign any other striker. It was when the relationship between the two started to falter.
Despite the sack speculations, the Portuguese manager saw out that season, eventually leading the Blues to FA Cup and League cup.
However, Mourinho left Stamford Bridge at the start of the following season by mutual consent. His departure was mainly due to indifference with owner Abramovich.
Mourinho later claimed that Shevchenko was not his first choice and he had requested the Blues for alternatives.
The current AS Roma boss said: “At Chelsea, he was not my first choice. I had asked for another player, and I know at the time the club were doing everything to get me the players I wanted, or at least one of them, but it wasn’t possible for various reasons.
Mourinho and Shevchenko will cross paths after ages
Mourinho was appointed as the new manager of AS Roma in the summer and he has done a brilliant job so far this season. His next Serie A game is against Genoa, who have recently appointed Shevchenko as their new head coach. The AC Milan legend agreed to join Genoa after leaving his coach duties at the Ukrainian national team. Mourinho and Shevchenko will cross paths after ages and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
