Shevchenko Told To Be Patient

LONDON, England -- The Ukraine international endured a tough first season in the Premiership last year and didn’t look close to justifying his £30 million ($60.5 million) price tag.

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has been told to be patient and earn his place in the starting line-up.

Touted as the key to Chelsea’s European dominance, the AC Milan legend failed to hit the back of the net as prolifically as he had done earlier in his career, doing so just 14 times in 51 appearances.

During the summer there had been talk of Sheva moving back to Milan or even returning to Dynamo Kiev on loan, however with the transfer window now closed, he must stay and fight for his place.

The arrival of Claudio Pizarro at Stamford Bridge this summer put further doubt over Sheva’s starting credentials, but assistant manager Steve Clarke insists that despite the 30-year-old’s past achievements, he must wait for his opportunity like everybody else.

"He's got to wait for his opportunity and, when he gets it, he has to take it," urged Clarke.

"That's the situation with a lot of players at the club.

"Didier is the striker, Claudio Pizarro has done very well while Kalou played the first game against Birmingham and I thought he was probabley our best, more exciting and dangerous player.

"So there are another three strikers there as well as Shevchenko."

Source: Goal UK