Rafael Benitez, the Chelsea interim manager, has quashed the rumours of strained relationship between him and skipper John Terry suggesting they don’t have “any problem” working with each other.
Chelsea recorded a comfortable win over Brentford FC on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round replay where Terry, who made only his third outing under the Spaniard, scored the final goal for the club.
Benitez insisted last week that physical fitness of Terry is a big concern and therefore his selection in the team is not guaranteed especially with so many good players vying for regular starts. The former Liverpool manager was quoted in the press:
“It is totally rubbish. We didn’t have any problem. We were talking just about football with the team. We had a normal conversation.
“He’s OK now – in the last two training sessions he was fine and he played today so that is good for the future. There is more competition.
“Cahill, Ivanovic, Luiz and him, they have to compete and that is really good for us.”
Terry himself has clarified the situation by saying the rumours of strained relationship with his manager have no foundation at all. He added his own input on the subject:
“The manager knows me and I want to play. I have been out for two or three months, but the other two [centre backs] have been doing well. It’s good to have competition.”
Meanwhile, David Luiz, who was deployed in the defensive midfield role, apologized after the game for his rash challenge on Jake Reeves that left the Brentford substitute concussed and was taken off on safety grounds.
Uwe Rösler, the Brentford manager revealed that though he didn’t see the medical condition of the player, but expects him to be fine. He also thanked Luiz for coming to see the player in the dressing room which he treats as a fantastic gesture.
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