Eto’o joins the Shevchenko debate by claiming that Andriy Shevchenko is being systematically frozen out by his Chelsea team-mates.

The injured Barcelona striker made his accusations in the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport yesterday.

He said Shevchenko had been wrong to leave AC Milan for Stamford Bridge, where he is seen as Roman Abramovich’s “pet” and where the players do not pass to him.

The London club quickly dismissed the comments as pure fiction and a Chelsea spokesman said: “These claims are total rubbish.”

Eto’o spoke out ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League game against Barcelona in the Nou Camp which finished in 2 - 2. Sheva was sidelined with a muscle problem.

Eto’o, out with a knee injury, said: “I have many friends at Chelsea and we often speak.

“He is perceived as Abramovich’s pet and he doesn’t get clean assists to score.

“Even [Didier] Drogba in his early days at Chelsea had the same problem. I believe Shevchenko has made a mistake.

“At Milan everyone plays football and for a forward this is crucial because you have more scoring possibilities.

“Chelsea play more defensive football and the two strikers struggle.”

From: The Sporting Life