"All the players are now ready to support their coach in a
complicated situation. In the win against Valencia (in midweek) -
KIEV - Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko is satisfied with the way
Avram Grant has taken charge of the side but said his team mates
were taken by surprise by the departure of Jose Mourinho.
"I cannot deny that this was completely unexpected for the majority
of the players," Shevchenko told the daily Trud.
"With Mourinho, the team on the whole played not too badly even
though there were some setbacks, like the draw against the
Norwegian side Rosenborg in the first round of the Champions
League."
But of new coach Grant, the Ukraine international said: " is not on
his first day here. Everyone knows and likes him.
"All the players are now ready to support their coach in a
complicated situation. In the win against Valencia (in midweek),
Grant showed his worth as a specialist."
Newspaper reports last month said a row between John Terry and
Mourinho had precipitated the coach's departure, something the
Chelsea captain has denied.
Shevchenko also told the newspaper he did not play against Valencia
in the 2-1 Champions League victory on Wednesday because of leg
injury and the coach wanted him to rest.
He also sought to end speculation that he wanted to return to
Milan.
"I don't even want to comment on that," he told the daily. "I play
for Chelsea. Full stop
