The Ukrainian international arrived upon English shores for a cool £30m after becoming a modern legend at AC Milan, but the usual prolific striker has failed to live-up to his lofty billing in a Blues shirt.Injuries have played their part in Shevchenko’s stop-start career in West London, but arguably the biggest obstacle came in the shape of previous manager Jose Mourinho, who resented the fact that the striker arrived at owner Roman Abramovich’s will rather than his own.
Despite his problems Shevchenko still managed to score 14 goals in all competitions last season, and after a stuttering start has bagged a further seven in 17 games this campaign.
However, the former European Footballer of the Year has seen his form hampered again after picking up an injury just before Christmas, and with more competition for a starting place arriving in the £15m form of Nicolas Anelka acting to compel the situation further, Shevchenko has reacted by claiming his ‘failure tag’ is unwarranted.
"In my first year I scored 14 goals. Admittedly that is not the 30 I scored at Milan, but I did not do as badly as people were making out," the Blues striker told Corriere della Sera.
"The real problem is that I cannot find any continuity.
"I was doing well this season, scoring seven goals in my last 10 matches, but then I suffered a back injury and will be on the sidelines for a month.
"Before I am judged I would like to enjoy a decent run in the side now that I have adapted to English football.
"Italian football is about tactics and logic, whereas England is different, it is all about speed and instinct."
Shevchenko has been constantly linked with a return to Milan since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, but the hit-man claims he is content in London.
"Am I looking for a return to AC? No," he said.
"I am happy here and want to stay. It is useless to look to the past.
"I could return in the future if I choose to stay in football, but at the moment I am planning on helping my own country once I retire."
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