tribalfooball.com - December 09, 2006
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko says he'll accept it if manager Jose Mourinho drops him.
Shevchenko, preparing to face Arsenal on Sunday, said: "A manager has to decide the club's objectives for the whole season. If a manager decides a player has to be dropped, it has to be accepted. This is a team game and there are 22 players all fighting to be in the team.
"I have 100% belief in Jose and I accept what he decides. My work here is to play well and help the team.
"If the club decides they want to bring in other players, I have no problem. Big teams have big objectives. Nobody in any of the big team has a clear right to play all the time."
Shevchenko's life at Stamford Bridge has been constantly dogged by speculation that he is unhappy with life in London and wants to return to Italy.
But the Ukrainian captain does not see it that way at all and stressed yet again that he has never thought for one moment about going back to Milan.
Shevchenko said: "I am staying here. It is just talk, talk, talk. I never thought once of this situation about going back to Milan.
"I had difficult times also in Milan, but I earned my respect there. What I am doing here is working hard to help the team to win. When I understand I am at my top form I will have no problems at all.
"My role in the team is the same as it was in Milan - no different. But you need time to adapt to the style of play. I've have no doubts that when I get into my right form, I will play and my objective is for Chelsea to win something important.
"I want to play well for the team and help increase the distance between us and Arsenal."