Shevchenko get vote of confidence from Vialli
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Former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli is confident Andriy Shevchenko will prove value for money.
Reports on Tuesday said Valencia's David Villa could be a £22m replacement for the out-of-form Shevchenko.
"I think it is quite normal when you are coming from a different country," Vialli told BBC Sport. "I think we will soon see one of the world's top strikers in the Premiership - there are no worries about that."
He believes Shevchenko, who has scored just three league goals this season, has been hampered by the knee injury that threatened to force him out of the World Cup.
Vialli added: "He played in Italy and had to adjust to the Italian style and now he must adjust to the English style.
"When he joined I don't think he was 100% fit, he was injured before the World Cup and he only had a very short break.
"All of these things catch up on you and you need time to get back to your best. But I think Shevchenko is working really hard."
Vialli believes Shevchenko's presence in the side has been of great benefit to strike partner Didier Drogba.
He said: "Drogba is playing so well and scoring some marvellous goals. I think this is down to him but also what Shevchenko is doing in keeping two or three defenders busy.
"It means Drogba is given more space and more ability to score. As a partnership they are working really well together and working hard for each other.
"And I don't see any jealousy which is very good for the team."
Reports on Tuesday said Valencia's David Villa could be a £22m replacement for the out-of-form Shevchenko.
"I think it is quite normal when you are coming from a different country," Vialli told BBC Sport. "I think we will soon see one of the world's top strikers in the Premiership - there are no worries about that."
He believes Shevchenko, who has scored just three league goals this season, has been hampered by the knee injury that threatened to force him out of the World Cup.
Vialli added: "He played in Italy and had to adjust to the Italian style and now he must adjust to the English style.
"When he joined I don't think he was 100% fit, he was injured before the World Cup and he only had a very short break.
"All of these things catch up on you and you need time to get back to your best. But I think Shevchenko is working really hard."
Vialli believes Shevchenko's presence in the side has been of great benefit to strike partner Didier Drogba.
He said: "Drogba is playing so well and scoring some marvellous goals. I think this is down to him but also what Shevchenko is doing in keeping two or three defenders busy.
"It means Drogba is given more space and more ability to score. As a partnership they are working really well together and working hard for each other.
"And I don't see any jealousy which is very good for the team."
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