Andriy Shevchenko revealed doubts about his Chelsea future today saying that he would be ready to leave Chelsea if Jose Mourinho decides he does not fit into his plans. The Ukraine star has scored just three league goals since his £30.8m summer move and has been linked with a return to AC Milan and Newcastle.

“I feel at home here at Chelsea and it’s felt like my team for a long time but unfortunately my game doesn’t suit Mourinho. Roman Abramovich is my friend but all he could do was insist on a loan deal instead of me being sold,” he said.

An interesting claim indeed, and one would have to wonder if Abramovic were forced to choose, whose side would his hat come down on. It is an open secret that ultra ambitious Mourinho will not be shackled by any club owner. A Mourinho on the open job market would be a sore temptation to any aspiring club.

Sheva, who scored his first European goal for Chelsea in Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over Levski Sofia, said he had not discussed his future with the club. However, he added, “But if it happens, I am ready to pack my bags. I’m a completely self-confident person. If I don’t suit somebody then I’ll go back to Italy and prove how good I can still be. I’m not finished as a player. On the other hand I have nothing to prove. Everybody knows what Andriy Shevchenko is capable of.” For any other mere mortal it may smack of sounding off, but when it’s someone of Shevcenko’s character, it may be prudent to listen.

Abramovich lured the forward to Stamford Bridge on a four-year contract in May in the belief that he would provide the goals to win the Champions League and to be fair, he looked more comfortable against, albeit pretty poor, Eurpoean opposition. He is still considered a hero by most AC Milan fans after he helped them win European club football’s greatest prize in 2003. Milan’s own domestic predicament would not preclude any interest in their former player as they have been nothing short of woeful recently.

Adapted by Natty from BBC Sport