QUOTE
Former AC Milan and Chelsea defender believes the the reason for Andrei Shevchenko's failure to adjust to the Premiership is that he tired to hard to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
The Ukrainian flopped terribly in his first season in the Premiership following his £30m move from AC Milan, but Desailly feels it comes down to the striker trying to make his mark in a side full of stars, while in Italy he was the biggest player.
"There are plenty of reasons why he has struggled, preparation for one," the Frenchman told the Times. "He knows the mistakes he has made.
"Because he was motivated, he has spoilt his physical aspect a little bit. At the beginning of the season he trained too much, whereas in Milan he was the top player and could choose the type of training he was doing.
"At Chelsea he started doing everything like the other players and his body has lost the power. His speed and sharpness have suffered.
"Three months before that, he was fast, and now he is slow. When you see your legs are not working as before, your brain starts to create problems, thinking you're no good and cannot make it.
"So when your legs come back to the right level, your brain is not there. Your confidence goes."
He continued: "Sheva has arrived in a team where the set-up is not just for him, it's for many players. Mourinho has made Shevchenko like all his other players. He has potential but gets no special treatment.
"Mourinho is in charge of the group and decided to look at other options because the performances were not good enough.
"There's another element. Milan is a very difficult club to leave, because it's a family. All the people have been there for years, the players, coaches and management. Win or lose there's no pressure, just try to do your best. Everyone is very tight."
The Ukrainian flopped terribly in his first season in the Premiership following his £30m move from AC Milan, but Desailly feels it comes down to the striker trying to make his mark in a side full of stars, while in Italy he was the biggest player.
"There are plenty of reasons why he has struggled, preparation for one," the Frenchman told the Times. "He knows the mistakes he has made.
"Because he was motivated, he has spoilt his physical aspect a little bit. At the beginning of the season he trained too much, whereas in Milan he was the top player and could choose the type of training he was doing.
"At Chelsea he started doing everything like the other players and his body has lost the power. His speed and sharpness have suffered.
"Three months before that, he was fast, and now he is slow. When you see your legs are not working as before, your brain starts to create problems, thinking you're no good and cannot make it.
"So when your legs come back to the right level, your brain is not there. Your confidence goes."
He continued: "Sheva has arrived in a team where the set-up is not just for him, it's for many players. Mourinho has made Shevchenko like all his other players. He has potential but gets no special treatment.
"Mourinho is in charge of the group and decided to look at other options because the performances were not good enough.
"There's another element. Milan is a very difficult club to leave, because it's a family. All the people have been there for years, the players, coaches and management. Win or lose there's no pressure, just try to do your best. Everyone is very tight."
Goal.com
