Jose: No problem with Sheva

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he has never had a problem with Andrei Shevchenko.

The Ukrainian international has had a difficult first season in England having scored just three times in the Premiership.

Shevchenko has not been a regular in the Chelsea line-up, but Mourinho has laughed off claims of issues between the pair.

"If somebody said I'm not playing him because of a personal situation with him, they are a silly sod who doesn't understand the game. I want to win so I have to play the best players for the team," Mourinho said.

"He's a good boy, he needs happiness and the game could give him a little bit of that.

"The personal relationship was always there and that is very important. One thing is professional issues and another thing is personal issues - the human relationship was always present which is why I always kept faith he would do it."

Much was made of Mourinho ignoring the striker after his substitution against Liverpool at the weekend, but Shevchenko is adamant there is no rift.

"Nothing happened between us on Saturday and I am happy," he said. "Jose is the manager and has to think differently to the players and has a different philosophy but he knows best."

Mourinho made a point of shaking Shevchenko's hand after his two goals helped The Blues into the Carling Cup final.

The Chelsea boss has confirmed the performance at Stamford Bridge will ensure Shevchenko a starting place in the FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Mourinho added: "He won the right to be in the line-up for Sunday. If there is the same great performance he'll earn the right to be in the line-up for Wednesday.

"Football is like that, if you perform you are in the team, if you don't you are not in the team."