Shevchenko wants Chelsea unity

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has urged his team-mates to show some unity following the appointment of new manager Avram Grant.

Shevchenko's uneasy relationship with Jose Mourinho was said to be a factor in the coach being replaced by Grant.

But the Ukraine striker, 30, said: "It's a difficult moment for the club, the players, the team, because of big changes in the house.

"It's a moment for the players to stick together and do our best for the club."

Shevchenko has struggled for form since joining the club from AC Milan for �31m and was often overlooked by Mourinho.

That is said to have been partly behind the breakdown in the relationship between Mourinho and the Blues' billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, who is a close friend of Shevchenko.

Grant was initially brought in as director of football with a special role to work with the misfiring Shevchenko.

But Shevchenko, who will be looking to celebrate his 31st birthday with a win over Fulham on Saturday, insists he is not expecting any special treatment from the new man in charge.

He added: "I know him as director of football with the team, like every player. He tries now as a manager and every player has the same relationship."

Shevchenko was part of the Chelsea side that lost 2-0 at Manchester United in Grant's first game at the helm, before being rested agianst Hull in midweek.

Source: BBC Sport