All is well with Benitez, insists Terry

Chelsea skipper John Terry has reiterated that everything’s fine between him and interim manager Rafael Benitez as the Blues get ready to travel to Anfield.

Reports of rift between the duo had emerged after Terry was excluded from the starting XI for some games since returning from an injury. However, Terry has come out to support Rafa’s rotation policy and claims that he will not be leaving Stamford Bridge anytime soon.

Speaking to SkySports, Terry said:

“We have been working together on the training field. I might miss the game, but if the manager chooses the other players in front of me, that’s totally acceptable by me and I will continue to work hard in training and wait for my chance, like I did against Fulham and previous games as well. I’m the biggest supporter if I’m playing or not playing – I’m fully behind the team. There has been a lot of speculation, even today. I didn’t speak out against the manager at all. I am fit, have been fit, and that’s the case.

“People are trying to cause a rift between myself and Rafa, but there simply isn’t one. They won’t get between us, or the players, or the staff at the football club.”

Asked if he will be in the starting XI on Sunday, the defender, who scored twice against Fulham at Craven Cottage, said:

“I want to play in all the games, of course, that’s the same for every player. But at the same time, I understand that we have got a lot of big games and if he wants to go with David (Luiz) and Iva (Branislav Ivanovic), they have been playing great so I have no qualms about that at all.

“(Cesar) Azpilicueta has been superb at right-back as well – so once again, if I’m not picked, of course I want to play, but at the same time I will be fully behind the lads, the team and the manager to secure us at least fourth spot for the Champions League spot.”