Frank Lampard is backing Ukraine striker Andrei Shevchenko to
live up to his star billing at Chelsea.
Shevchenko was a £30million summer signing from Milan, but his
first six months at Stamford Bridge have not gone as planned for
the 30-year-old.
He has managed just five goals and again drew a blank against
League Two minnows Macclesfield in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Shevchenko's performance against Macclesfield raised a number of
eyebrows, but he has been backed to find his true form by England
star Lampard.
"I do feel sympathy for him but it is no problem," Lampard told The
Sun.
"Saturday was not a day where because he cost £30million and is a
world-class striker he had to score.
"He has to work hard and try to lead the line, which he did. It
doesn't always happen for you."
Reflecting on the win over Macclesfield on Saturday, Lampard added:
"I hope people don't make a big deal about the fact he didn't score
against Macclesfield because football is not that simple.
"He doesn't seem to be affected by not scoring. He is working hard
in training and is a great professional.
"Of course he wants to score more goals, that is what he has done
his whole career. He is keeping his head down and grafting. If you
watch Saturday's game he didn't score but you could see he was
trying to.
"You could see the frustration, that is normal, but as long as he
keeps trying the goals will come.
"We can all try too hard - that is not really a big fault. That is
just showing what you want to do. Eventually it will turn for
him."
