Andrei Shevchenko has revealed that he is learning to love life
in English football.
The Ukrainian superstar has failed to settle as well as many
expected following his £30million move from Milan to Chelsea last
summer.
Tension between Shevchenko and boss Jose Mourinho was understood to
be strained after his exclusion from the first team.
However, Shevchenko looks to have built bridges with Mourinho and
is insistent that he is now settled in London and his love affair
with Milan is definitely over.
"President Silvio Berlusconi is a person who remains in my heart,
so as all officials, players and Milan supporters. So as with
Italy, I love it, but my life now is in England", he explained to
Gazzetta dello Sport.
On his relationship with Mourinho, Sheva stressed he followed and
believed in whatever the Portuguese tactician decided.
"I don't look at the things posted in the papers. Mourinho is the
coach, he has his style and I must adapt myself to the team, not
the opposite," he opined.
Shevchenko has even been tipped as a possible future Chelsea coach,
as he is close friends with owner Roman Abramovich - but he insists
he does not know what he will do when his playing days are
over.
"It's not true, and especially as I've never thought about what
I'll do," he said.
"I have a contract until 2010 and it seems to me that is quite far
away."
The Eastern Wind, as he is known, admits he loves the differences
between England and Italy.
"I like the English at the stadium. Here the audience is part of
the spectacle with the players," he said.
"In Italy it's different and not only because there are
architectural obstacles. It's a matter of culture.
"Here players deserve respect for the talent they have, but they
are part of a community.
"But also the doctor who saves lives or the person who cleans the
roads in which we walk every day, they get respect too. I like this
sense of community."
The Chelsea man also spoke about Ronaldo's possible arrival at
Milan.
"Ronaldo is a really great player," he said.
"He has been and he will remain a phenomenon. The age of 30 doesn't
count. Should he be physically fit, and has the will to play, the
age doesn't count.
"What counts is motivation, and I think Ronaldo still has a
lot."