Milan hold all aces on Sheva, says Mourinho

CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho believes it will “be very difficult” to prise striker Andriy Shevchenko away from AC Milan.

The Ukrainian announced last week his desire to leave Italy but he is tied to the Rossoneri until June 2009.

Mourinho, who was given an award on Monday for being just one of two Portuguese coaches to have won the Champions League – Artur Jorge was the other — said to reporters at the Lisbon Casino: “I cannot say that Shevchenko does not interest me, but AC Milan are a very powerful club.

“They don’t need to sell players in order to buy good players. It’s going to be very difficult.”

Mourinho also brushed aside speculation linking him with Benfica winger Simao. “Chelsea have four great quality wingers and as long as we keep them, I’m not thinking of Simao,” said Mourinho.