ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO has revealed the true extent of the harm hell which brought about his Chelsea nightmare.
The Ukrainian icon arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006 in a £30.8million deal however by no means lived as much as expectations, scoring simply 22 objectives throughout two years.
Andriy Shevchenko revealed the true extent of the harm hell which brought about his Chelsea nightmareCredit score: Information Group Newspapers Ltd
Ex-Chelsea star has opened up in his guide
Accidents plagued his time at Blues and his new guide, My Life, My Soccer, reveals how his physique all however broke down.
Shevchenko, 47, particulars how he arrived with a difficulty following the 2006 World Cup in Germany and issues by no means bought higher with two hernia operations and a again harm.
He mentioned: “I would really like folks to know my difficulties had been on account of bodily points.
“The followers had been nice with me however sadly I by no means managed to indicate them my finest. I used to be afraid I used to be going to should retire from soccer.
“I felt dangerous for the folks and the membership. I’d have given the world to return the love they had been exhibiting me. As a substitute, I used to be damaged.”
Shevchenko’s issues started earlier than he even joined Chelsea.
In Ukraine’s 3-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Italy, Shevchenko suffered a knee harm.
His hasty restoration left him drained in the beginning of his Blues profession.
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He mentioned: “I did my finest and gave my all: that was simply my means. Nonetheless, I knew my motor wasn’t working because it should.
“The newspapers criticised me closely however solely I knew the actual drawback: that accursed fatigue that had by no means lifted.”
Issues improved in early 2007. Chelsea gained the League Cup however Shevchenko found a hernia.
He performed by way of the ache however missed the second leg of the Champions League semi-final towards Liverpool and the FA Cup remaining towards Manchester United earlier than having a summer season op.
He revealed: “Throughout the operation, one thing didn’t go to plan. I didn’t get again to what I used to be earlier than.”
Shevchenko went into the subsequent season nonetheless not proper and in a 4-4 Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa — throughout which he scored twice — the failed surgical procedure brought about a herniated disc in his again.
He added: “I misplaced all my power. I used to be in a wealthy vein of kind — the worst doable second to undergo an harm.”
Shevchenko labored his means again to health however mentioned: “I used to be barely a shadow of the participant I was.”
The season ended in additional despair, pressured to look at the 2008 Champions League remaining defeat to Manchester United from the bench after which discovering on a US journey his hernia had returned and required extra surgical procedure.
The striker limped by way of pre-season however conceded defeat, requesting a transfer again to AC Milan to finish his Blues time.
- MY LIFE, MY FOOTBALL by Andriy Shevchenko is out there from https://backpagepress.co.uk/books/my-life-my-football
Shevchenko is the present supervisor of UkraineCredit score: EPA